Iran Fires on Two Indian Ships, Closes Strait of Hormuz Again

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz again after a period of conflicting declarations, with two Indian-flagged vessels coming under fire from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday. The Indian tanker Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav were forced to turn back after being attacked by IRGC boats while navigating the critical shipping lane, though no injuries were reported among the crew. India summoned Iranian ambassador Mohammad Fathali to convey its "deep concern" over the incidents and demanded the restoration of safe passage for Indian-bound ships. The strait handles nearly one-fifth of global oil trade and has become a central point in the ongoing US-Iran conflict. According to official data, 13 Indian vessels are currently in the Persian Gulf, six in the Gulf of Oman, and one in the Gulf of Aden, with 17 ships identified for evacuation including four LPG carriers, three LNG carriers, and 10 crude oil tankers. India has responded by aggressively stepping up imports of Russian crude oil, which have reached levels near their June 2023 highs, aided by US sanctions waivers. However, experts warn that LPG and LNG supplies remain constrained, with at least two LPG tankers stranded near the strait. China has weighed in on the situation, with President Xi Jinping telling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a phone call on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open. The episode was discussed on BBC's Newscast, where presenter Paddy O'Connell questioned BBC Middle East correspondent Lyse Doucet about whether the ceasefire has been breached and what happens next, as negotiations between the US and Iran continue. The conflict has disrupted India's domestic LPG supplies, forcing the government to prioritize household distribution over commercial availability, which has been raised to around 70% of pre-crisis levels.