The Iranian coast guard fired warning shots at the Togo-flagged chemical tanker, MT Siron, which had been boarded by individuals, including Indian sailors, at the Shinas Outer Port limits in Oman on April 25. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways disclosed this information during an inter-ministerial briefing on West Asia’s recent events. The ministry is actively collaborating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety of seafarers and operational continuity in the area.
Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Director at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, reported that the Iranian Coast Guard intervened when the vessel was in proximity to other ships and discharged warning shots. He highlighted the coordination efforts between the ministry, MEA, and maritime stakeholders to safeguard seafarers and operational activities in the region. The DG Shipping control room has managed 7,780 calls and 16,650 emails, maintaining contact with 2,770 Indian vessels, with 12 providing updates.
Randhawa assured that the situation is being closely monitored, emphasizing that there are no immediate concerns. In a separate incident on April 22, Iran targeted a ship in the Strait of Hormuz en route to Mundra Port in India. This attack occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump declared an indefinite ceasefire. The Iran’s government-run Press TV reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy had attacked and seized two ships, namely the MSC-Francesca and the Epaminodas.
