"You gave clearance": Distress audio from Indian tanker that turned back during Hormuz firing

Two Indian-flagged tankers turned back in the Strait of Hormuz after being fired upon by Iranian gunboats yesterday, as the waterway that carries one-fifth of the world's oil and gas remains at the centre of confusion in the middle of a war between the US, Israel, and Iran. No injuries were reported, and the vessels were not damaged in the firing, sources said. A distress message from one of the tankers has now emerged, capturing the confusion that ensued during the firing. A crew member on board the crude oil tanker, Sanmar Herald, is heard trying to communicate with the Iranian navy in a roughly 30-second audio shared by Tanker Trackers, a maritime intelligence firm that tracks shipments.

"Sepah Navy. Sepah Navy. This is motor tanker Sanmar Herald. You gave me clearance to go. My name is second on your list. You are firing now. Let me turn back," the individual was heard saying.

New Delhi summoned the Iranian ambassador after the incident and conveyed India's "deep concern" over the firing incident. The Foreign Secretary "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," the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"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 MEA said. The ambassador "undertook to convey these views to the Iranian authorities," the ministry added.