Hyderabad, April 18 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday, April 18, summoned Iran's ambassador to India, Dr Mohammad Fathali, to lodge a formal protest after two Indian-flagged tankers were fired upon near the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the MEA, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveyed "deep concern" over the incident during a meeting with the envoy, stressing the importance India attaches to the safety of merchant shipping and seafarers. He urged Tehran to resume facilitating safe passage for India-bound vessels at the earliest.

The Iranian envoy said he would convey India's concerns to authorities in Tehran. The incident involved two large crude oil tankers - Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald - carrying Iraqi oil, which ...