Indian Navy Escorts Vessels Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions

The Indian Navy has deployed two task forces of warships to ensure the safe passage of Indian merchant vessels and tankers carrying crude oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz , a vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. The move comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with all necessary support being provided to vessels under the Navy’s escort, according to sources.

The escalation follows a request from Iran seeking the release of three tankers previously seized by India in exchange for allowing safe transit of Indian-flagged or India-bound ships. India had earlier impounded the tankers Asphalt Star, Al Jafzia, and Stellar Ruby alleging they had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship-to-ship transfers at sea . Of these, Stellar Ruby is Iranian-flagged , while Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia are registered under Nicaragua and Mali .

In addition, Iran has requested the supply of certain medicines and medical equipment , prompting a meeting between Iran’s ambassador to New Delhi and officials from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Monday to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, the Indian LPG carrier Shivalik , transporting approximately 40,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas , safely reached Mundra Port in Gujarat late Monday night. Priority berthing and expedited documentation have been arranged to ensure smooth cargo discharge, as confirmed by Rajesh Kumar Sinha , Special Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways , during an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia.

A special MEA control room remains operational to address queries from Indian nationals and coordinate with State Governments, Union Territories, and Indian Missions across the region. Assistance includes visa support, logistical help, and transit facilitation, particularly for stranded Indians or short-term visitors. Since February 28, 2026 , nearly 2,20,000 passengers have returned to India from West Asia and the Gulf region.

The deployment underscores the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz , a narrow passage through which nearly one-fifth of global crude oil flows, and highlights India’s proactive measures to safeguard its energy security amid regional volatility.