NewsGate Press Network

Soon after two oil tankers with Indian flags namely Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald – came under direct fire at the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian gunboats, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri summoned Iran’s Ambassador to New Delhi and gave him a dressing down.

Randhir Jaiswal the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stated that “the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi was called in by the Ministry of External Affairs for a meeting with Foreign Secretary this evening.

“During the meeting, Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

“He noted the importance that India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners and recalled that Iran had earlier facilitated the safe passage of several ships bound for India.

“Reiterating his concern at this serious incident of firing on merchant ships, Foreign Secretary urged the Ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait.

“The Ambassador of Iran undertook to convey these views to the Iranian authorities”, the MEA statement added.

According to sources no one was injured and the vessels were not damaged.

Both the ships were however forced to turn back into the safe waters of Gulf of Oman.