India has successfully navigated thirteen of its vessels through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of hostilities in the Persian Gulf, a senior official confirmed on Thursday, even as one Indian ship came under attack off the coast of Oman and sank.
Successful passage and fuel tankers
Thirteen Indian-flagged vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the military conflict in the Persian Gulf, according to Mukesh Mangal, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Speaking at a briefing, he confirmed that two fuel tankers, the Symi and the NV Sunshine, have already transited the strait and are now en route to India. Their arrival is expected on May 16 and 18 respectively.
Strategic assets still in the Gulf
At the beginning of April, India’s shipping ministry reported that at least 22 Indian-flagged vessels were operating near the Strait of Hormuz and in Gulf waters. Of these, the government designated 20 as strategically vital to the country’s energy security. At present, thirteen Indian vessels remain in the Gulf region.
The ministry’s spokesperson also reported an attack on Thursday on the Indian vessel Haji Ali off the coast of Oman. The ship caught fire following the assault and subsequently sank. All 14 crew members were rescued.
Background to the crisis
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, striking major cities including Tehran. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out attacks on Israeli territory and on US military assets in the region. Iranian authorities subsequently decided to close the Strait of Hormuz to vessels linked to the US, Israel, and their allies. The US, for its part, imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports starting April 13.
India is holding negotiations with Iran to ensure the safe passage of its remaining vessels in the area. Indian officials have stressed that the government remains in constant communication with the Iranian side to guarantee the secure departure of all ships still in the Gulf.
