Radio transmissions suggested that two Indian-flagged vessels, which were attacked while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, were permitted to make the journey by the Islamic regime, according to a maritime intelligence company.
“You gave me clearance to go! My name is second on your list; you gave me clearance to go! You are firing now! Let me turn back!” the individual can be heard saying in the radio transmission.
The two Indian-flagged vessels were attempting to carry crude oil across the strait when they came under attack, India’s External Affairs Ministry confirmed in a statement.
One of the vessels attacked was identified as the Sanmar Herald, an Indian government source told Reuters, adding that the crew was safe.
Tehran’s ambassador to New Delhi, Mohammad Fathali, was called in for a meeting with India‘s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, during which Misri conveyed India’s deep concern over the shooting incident.
Misri urged the ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran and to resume, at the earliest, the process of facilitating the passage of India-bound ships across the Strait.
India said it had called in the Iranian envoy to New Delhi and flagged its “deep concern” over the attack, and India’s top foreign ministry official asked the Iranian ambassador to convey India’s view to Iranian authorities and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait, a statement from the ministry said.
The ambassador said he would convey these views to Iranian authorities, according to the statement.
Reuters contributed to this report.
