NEW: Ceasefire In Jeopardy After Iran Fires At A number of Vessels
In a sharp escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats opened fire on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The move caused dozens of ships that were attempting to navigate the strait to turn back, while the Iranian government confirmed that the vital waterway is closed despite previous claims to the contrary.
According to reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and maritime security firms, Iranian gunboats approached and fired warning shots, and in some cases live rounds, at vessels attempting passage. At least one tanker and a container ship were targeted, with captains describing “bullets raining” on their ships.
Two Indian-flagged vessels—the VLCC supertanker Jag Annapurna, which was carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil, and the Sanmar Herald — were among those forced westward out of the strait near Larak Island.
Shipping data indicated at least six other tankers halted or reversed course amid the chaos. No major casualties were reported, and crews remained safe, though the incident has threatened the tense ceasefire obtained between the United States and Iran.
The firing came as Iran’s military broadcast radio warnings to all ships declaring the Strait of Hormuz “completely closed again” due to alleged U.S. “piracy” and failure to honor commitments. This reversal directly contradicted Iran’s announcement on April 17 that the waterway would remain open during the truce.
Tehran had framed the brief reopening as a goodwill gesture tied to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire involving Israel and Lebanon, with its foreign minister stating passage was now unrestricted for commercial vessels. Yet within hours of that declaration, Iranian officials cited the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports as a “violation” and moved to close the waterway once again.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf further warned the strait “will not remain open” if the blockade persists.
The episode has drawn swift international backlash, including from India, one of the largest importers of oil transiting the strait. New Delhi summoned Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Fathali to the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday evening (local time) in connection with the shooting incident.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveyed India’s “deep concern” over the shooting incident involving the two Indian-flagged ships. He emphasized the safety of merchant mariners and urged Tehran to immediately resume facilitating safe passage for India-bound vessels, recalling that Iran had previously honored such arrangements.
U.S. President Donald Trump had expressed optimism just a day earlier, stating that Iran had agreed to keep the strait open indefinitely and describing “very good” progress in talks. Trump credited the reopening to ongoing negotiations and even suggested a broader deal — including on Iran’s nuclear program — could be imminent, with a potential meeting over the weekend.
He did note that the U.S. blockade of Iranian vessels would “remain in full force” until a comprehensive agreement is reached “100% complete.” Trump set an informal deadline around April 22, warning that without a deal, the U.S. “will have to start dropping bombs again.”