New Delhi, April 18 (NationPress) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, following an alarming shooting incident that impacted Indian vessels traversing the Strait of Hormuz.

India has reportedly expressed a robust protest to Tehran regarding this event, where Indian-flagged ships—one being a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC)—were fired upon by gunboats belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Fortunately, both the tanker and its crew have been confirmed safe.

Previously, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre acknowledged that a tanker was under fire from IRGC vessels.

The UKMTO issued a statement on their website indicating, "Master UKMTO has received a report of an incident 20NM northeast of Oman. The Master of a Tanker reports being approached by 2 IRGC gunboats, which fired upon the tanker without a VHF challenge. The tanker and crew are reported safe, and authorities are investigating."

A subsequent UKMTO advisory later on Saturday, India time, indicated another report of an incident occurring 25NM northeast of Oman.

"A report of a Container Ship being struck by an unidentified projectile was received, causing damage to several containers, but no fires or environmental impact has been reported. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to report any suspicious activities to UKMTO," it stated.

On the same day, Iran declared that control over the Strait of Hormuz has "returned to its previous state" amidst the ongoing US naval blockade of Iranian ports.

A spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters was quoted by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, stating that the Strait is under "strict control" of the Iranian Armed Forces and will maintain its operational status.

The spokesperson further noted that under the guise of a blockade, the United States has engaged in acts of "sea robbery" and "piracy" through repeated breaches of agreements, leading to the reassertion of control over the strategic waterway by the Armed Forces.

He emphasized that this tight control will persist until the US lifts restrictions on the free movement of vessels to and from Iran.

As reported by Xinhua news agency, vessel tracking data indicated that approximately 10 ships reversed course on Saturday while attempting to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's reaffirmed control over this crucial maritime route.

According to shipping data from Marine Traffic, these vessels altered their paths in waters adjacent to Larak Island, a strategic area utilized by Iran to oversee maritime traffic.