Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: After the firing incident on two Indian vessels by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 18, “Indian Navy is prioritising security for all Indian vessels stranded and waiting to cross the Strait of Hormuz”, defence sources confirmed to TOI. “All Indian-flagged cargo ships in the Persian Gulf have also been asked to stay clear of Larak Island and transit only when directed to ensure their safety,” the sources said.Larak (also called Lark) Island is a critical strategic, military and logistical hub for Iran’s oil infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz, acting as a key oil export terminal and monitoring centre. All India-bound ships have been asked to stay off the Larak island as it is heavily guarded and controlled by the IRGC, which has fortified it with a network of bunkers, advanced radar systems, and electronic warfare capabilities to monitor passing ships. Larak hosts military bases capable of deploying fast-attack craft armed with anti-ship missiles, posing a significant threat to cargo ships near the Hormuz chokepoint.Currently, India has the presence of half a dozen warships near the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman to protect and escort India-bound cargo vessels. The warship deployment is part of the continuing Operation Sankalp, which is aimed at protecting India-bound energy tankers.A total of eight India-bound crude tankers carrying a total of 13.13 million barrels of Gulf crude, three tankers carrying 115,600t of LPG, and four tankers carrying a total of 297,000t of LNG, along with a few other chemical tankers, are stuck within the region, satellite image from Vortexa shows. The Navy remains in constant touch with these cargo vessels and has advised them to move only after clearance, the sources said.The MEA has said India is in touch with Iran and other relevant countries to ensure the safe passage of its ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian side has assured that the Indian concerns will be conveyed to authorities in Tehran, with diplomatic engagement continuing.On Saturday, VLCC supertanker Sanmar Herald, loaded with 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil from Al Basrah Anchorage and bulk carrier Jag Arnav made a U-turn near the southern approaches to the Strait of Hormuz (south of Larak Island) and headed back westward into the Persian Gulf after they were fired upon by Iran’s Sepah (IRGC) Navy. Authorities confirmed that despite the firing, no injuries were reported among the Indian crew.A govt official said 10 Indian vessels have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz. The last tanker, Desh Garima, crossed the Strait on April 18, the same day Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald had to turn back after firing. After crossing the Strait, Desh Garima is now being escorted by the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea and is expected to arrive in Mumbai on April 22.
