A distress call from Sanmar Herald exposes IRGC’s “broken promises” as Indian crew pleads to turn back under heavy gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz
A chilling audio recording has surfaced capturing the moments of panic and confusion aboard the Indian-flagged oil tanker Sanmar Herald as it came under fire from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy on Saturday.
The distress call, which has since gone viral, exposes the contradiction in Tehran’s maritime enforcement, with Indian mariners pleading for safety after being told they had “clearance” to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
The incident involved two Indian vessels, the Suezmax tanker Sanmar Herald, carrying two million barrels of Iraqi crude, and the bulk carrier Jag Arnav. Despite India’s neutrality in the region, both ships were caught in a sudden escalation of the IRGC’s blockade.
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‘My name is second on your list’
The leaked audio captures a frantic exchange between the bridge of the Sanmar Herald and an Iranian naval station. The recording reveals the shock of the Indian crew as gunboats began firing despite a prior agreement for safe passage.
“You gave me clearance to go! My name is second on your list!” the Indian mariner is heard shouting over the sound of radio static and ambient noise. “You are firing now! Let me turn back! Please, let me turn back!”
Earlier that day, Tehran had reportedly shared a “priority list” of neutral commercial vessels allowed to transit the Strait to ease a massive backlog of global energy supplies.
Trapped in the ‘green area’
According to maritime tracking data and reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (Ukmto), the vessels were navigating the designated “Green Area” of the Strait when the shooting began. While the Jag Arnav reportedly sustained minor hull damage from projectiles, no injuries were reported among the Indian crew members.
Witnesses on nearby vessels reported seeing IRGC gunboats maneuvering aggressively, using small-arms fire and larger caliber deck guns to force a “U-turn” of all westbound traffic. The Sanmar Herald eventually restored its Automatic Identification System (AIS) and reversed course toward the Gulf of Oman to escape the line of fire.
India has lodged a strong protest over the incident, triggering a diplomatic flare-up in New Delhi.
On Saturday evening, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra summoned Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Fathali to convey India’s objection to what it described as unprovoked firing.
New Delhi has sought a formal explanation from Tehran, questioning why vessels that had already been cleared for passage were targeted.
At the same time, the Ministry of External Affairs stressed that the safety of Indian mariners is “non-negotiable” and urged Iran to uphold its international obligations, particularly with regard to ensuring freedom of navigation for neutral countries.
First Published:
April 19, 2026, 10:46 IST
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