India, April 18 -- A large Indian crude oil tanker carrying about two million barrels of Iraqi oil was on Saturday fired upon by the Iran Navy north of Oman, people aware of the matter said, shortly after reports came in that two Indian ships were forced to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz.

Two vessels - Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald - were involved in the incident, with only one coming under direct attack. According to initial reports, Jag Arnav was fired upon, raising fresh concerns over maritime security in the region, while Sanmar Herald, which was in the vicinity, was not targeted and remained unharmed.

The Indian Navy is trying to ascertain details of the incident as there is no Indian Navy ship in the Straits of Hormuz, they add...