Iranian Coast Guard Fires Warning Shots Near Chemical Tanker with Indian Crew; India Monitoring Situation Closely

New Delhi, April 2026 : The Iranian Coast Guard recently fired warning shots at a Togo-flagged chemical tanker, MT Siron, which had individuals on board, including Indian sailors, near the Shinas Outer Port limits in Oman on April 25, according to officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The incident occurred when the vessel was positioned close to other ships in the area, prompting intervention by Iranian forces. Officials clarified that the firing was intended as a warning, and the situation is currently under close monitoring by Indian authorities.

Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Director at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, shared details of the incident during an inter-ministerial briefing on developments in West Asia. He said the ministry is working in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian missions abroad, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers and maintain uninterrupted shipping operations.

Providing an update on maritime communication efforts, Randhawa stated that the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) control room has handled 7,780 calls and 16,650 emails so far. Authorities are currently in contact with 2,770 Indian ships, out of which 12 have provided situation updates. He emphasised that while the situation remains sensitive, there is no immediate cause for alarm.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz region. On April 22, Iran reportedly targeted a vessel en route to Mundra Port in India, just hours after Donald Trump announced an indefinite ceasefire. The attack was claimed by the naval wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N), which said it had taken control of two ships.

According to Iranian state media, the vessels were identified as MSC Francesca and Epaminondas. Shipping data indicated that the Liberian-flagged Epaminondas was travelling from Jebel Ali port in Dubai to Mundra in Gujarat at the time of the incident.

Earlier, on April 18, two Indian-linked ships were also attacked in the Strait of Hormuz despite having permission to pass through the crucial waterway. India had lodged a strong protest with Iran following those incidents.

The IRGC-N had justified its actions by alleging that the vessels were operating without proper authorisation. Meanwhile, a British naval monitoring agency confirmed that two ships were fired upon by Iranian gunboats, with one vessel reportedly immobilised and the other sustaining damage.

As tensions persist in the region, Indian authorities continue to maintain close surveillance and coordination to safeguard maritime interests and the safety of Indian crew members operating in international waters.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)