India has stepped up maritime security in and around the Strait of Hormuz after two Indian-linked commercial vessels came under fire on April 18, prompting a fresh advisory for ships operating in the Persian Gulf.
The Navy has asked vessels to steer clear of Larak Island and transit the strait only after receiving clearance, as tensions rise in one of the world’s most sensitive shipping lanes.
Ships targeted, Navy tightens escort measures
The vessels targeted were Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald. Business Today said personnel from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly fired on the ships, forcing them to abort their passage through the narrow waterway. The incident led India to tighten coordination between naval forces and merchant ships.
The advisory comes amid heightened concern over traffic through the corridor. 11 Indian ships had crossed the strait so far, with the tanker Desh Garima among the latest to pass through on April 18. 14 Indian vessels were awaiting clearance in the Persian Gulf. The Indian Navy had deployed seven warships in the region to help ensure secure transit.
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Focus on Larak Island
Larak Island is a small Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz. It lies east of Qeshm Island and south of Hormuz Island.
Its location gives a clear vantage point over shipping traffic entering and leaving the Persian Gulf.
Larak Island has become a key marker in the latest Hormuz security tightening because of its strategic position.
After the firing incident involving two Indian-linked vessels, the Indian Navy advised Indian-flagged ships to avoid the island unless specifically cleared by naval authorities. Iran’s IRGC had instructed vessels to enter the strait north of Larak Island and exit south of it until further notice, highlighting how the island sits at the centre of route management in the waterway.
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Hormuz slowdown raises global oil concerns
According to Business Today, shipments crossing Hormuz slowed dramatically on April 20, citing ship tracking data. The Strait of Hormuz is still a crucial crossing for global oil exports, making any disruption a larger energy and security worry for countries that rely on Gulf trade routes, including India.
