India, April 18 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday summoned the Iranian ambassador to India to lodge a formal protest after two Indian-flagged tankers were fired at by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz, say people familiar with the matter.

The Iranian envoy, Dr Mohammad Fathali, was summoned by the MEA for a meeting at 6:30 PM. He met the MEA joint secretary for the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran desk.

Two large Indian crude oil tankers carrying a few million barrels of Iraqi oil were on Saturday fired upon by the Iranian 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 Heral...