India Summons Iranian Envoy After Attack on Ships in Strait of Hormuz

India has summoned Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi after two Indian-flagged commercial vessels came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz on April 17, 2026, according to official statements and regional maritime reports.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the incident occurred in the early hours of April 17 when the MV Jag Lakshmi and MV Jag Anand, both operated by the Shipping Corporation of India, were targeted by small-caliber gunfire while transiting the internationally recognized shipping lane. No crew members were injured, and both vessels continued their journey under escort after the attack ceased.

In response, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri summoned Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sabouri, to the South Block for a formal diplomatic protest. During the meeting, Indian officials conveyed “serious concern” over the unprovoked use of force against civilian merchant vessels exercising their right of innocent passage under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Iranian embassy in New Delhi has not issued a public statement regarding the summoning. However, Iranian state media earlier reported that its naval forces were conducting routine security patrols in the Strait of Hormuz to counter what Tehran described as “foreign interference” in regional waters. No direct link has been established by independent sources between those patrols and the firing on the Indian vessels.

The Strait of Hormuz, a 21-mile-wide choke point between Oman and Iran, sees approximately 20% of the world’s petroleum trade pass through its waters each day. It has long been a flashpoint for maritime tensions, particularly amid broader regional disputes involving Iran, Israel, and Western naval forces.

This marks the first confirmed instance of direct hostile fire on Indian-flagged commercial shipping in the Strait since 2019, when similar incidents occurred during heightened U.S.-Iran tensions. At that time, India had also lodged diplomatic protests with both Tehran, and Washington.

The Shipping Corporation of India stated that both vessels were carrying non-military cargo — one with petrochemicals and the other with containerized goods — and were following standard international routing procedures. The company confirmed that it has activated its crisis response protocol and is coordinating with the Indian Navy and international maritime security centers.

As of April 18, 2026, no further attacks have been reported in the area. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center in Dubai issued a routine advisory urging vessels to maintain heightened vigilance but did not raise the threat level. The Indian Navy has increased aerial surveillance over its outbound and inbound shipping routes in the Arabian Sea, though no formal naval escort has been mandated for merchant vessels at this time.

India’s Ministry of Defence said it is reviewing the incident in coordination with external affairs and intelligence agencies to assess whether this constitutes an isolated event or part of a broader pattern. Officials emphasized that India remains committed to resolving the matter through diplomatic channels while upholding the freedom of navigation in international waters.

The incident underscores the persistent vulnerability of global energy and trade chokepoints to regional geopolitical friction. With no immediate claim of responsibility and conflicting narratives emerging from involved parties, the focus now lies on de-escalation and ensuring the safety of commercial shipping in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.