Iranian Gunboats Open Fire on Tanker Hours After Strait of Hormuz Declared Open
Indian-flagged VLCC Sanmar Herald came under attack by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
The massive crude carrier, loaded with Iraqi oil, was trying to transit the vital chokepoint when two IRGC vessels approached without warning and opened fire.
In raw radio audio, the panicked captain can be heard pleading: “You gave me clearance to go! My name second on your list! You gave me clearance to go, you are firing now. Let me turn back!”
UKMTO confirmed the unprovoked assault about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. Multiple Indian vessels, including another ship carrying urea, were forced to reverse course after the gunfire.
This happened less than 24 hours after Iran and President Trump both stated the strait was fully open for commercial traffic. Instead, Tehran quickly reimposed “strict control,” with the IRGC showing once again that its word means nothing.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade. When Iran plays these games, energy prices spike, global shipping pays the price, and the regime proves it cannot be trusted.
America and its allies cannot afford endless provocations from a terrorist navy that threatens freedom of navigation. Weak responses only invite more aggression. The IRGC’s behavior demands a firm, decisive pushback to protect legitimate maritime traffic.