India, April 19 -- An audio recording, reportedly from Sanmar Herald, one of the two Indian tankers that were fired upon by the Iranian navy north of Oman, has surfaced. An official from the tanker can be heard telling Tehran's navy that it was firing at the India-flagged vessel, despite having given clearance for it to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Two Indian vessels -- Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald -- were fired upon by the Iranian navy, in contradiction to Tehran's earlier statements that countries not involved in the conflict with the US and Israel will not be targeted.

Jag Arnav is an India-flagged bulk carrier, travelling from Saudi Arabia's Al Jubail to India, according to Marine Traffic. Meanwhile, Sanmar Herald was carrying crude...