The representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader in India responded on Saturday when asked about the attack on two Indian-flagged tankers near the Strait of Hormuz. While envoy Dr Abdul Majeed Hakim Elahi said he was not aware of any such incident, he also said the relationship between India and Iran is “very strong”.
He also said that New Delhi has benefited from these relations, citing how its oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Elahi said: “The relationship between Iran and India is very strong and I do not know anything about this event that you mentioned and we hope that it will go well and be resolved,” adding that Iran does not support war but peace.
He added: “The Prime Minister of India held very successful talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the Foreign Minister held several successful talks with the Iranian Foreign Minister.” that I.
Elahi added, “The relationship between Iran and India is rooted in 5,000 years of history. Iranians are connected to India by culture, civilization, education, humanity and philosophy. Our relationship is very strong and will get stronger.”
“We want peace and we hope that the other side will also follow peace so that we can have a peaceful region,” he told the news agency. that I.
Two tankers flying the Indian flag were attacked
Two oil tankers, Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald, were fired upon by the Iranian Navy north of Oman, people familiar with the matter told HT on Saturday. The tankers were carrying a few million barrels of Iraqi oil, at a time when concerns about crude oil supplies and prices dominated the world as the conflict continued in West Asia.
“Both ships were fired upon,” an official said, as reported earlier by HT.
This development sparked a strong reaction from India, as the Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador to India to lodge a formal protest.
Iranian envoy Dr. Mohammad Fatehli was seen leaving the Middle East Airlines office after meeting with the joint secretary of the Pakistan-Afghan-Iranian office.
The Middle East Airlines later said in a statement that the Foreign Minister expressed concern about the incident involving ships flying the Indian flag. “Noting the importance India attaches to the safety of merchant shipping and seafarers, he noted that Iran had earlier facilitated the safe passage of several India-bound ships. The Foreign Secretary reiterated his concern over this serious incident of firing on merchant ships and urged the Ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran and resume the process of facilitating India-bound ships through the Strait as soon as possible.”
Escalating risks for ships transiting Hormuz
Ships or vessels transiting or attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz now face an increased risk of attack. The Iranian Navy reportedly warned ships against approaching the choke point, saying such action would be considered “collaboration with the enemy” and that “the offending ship will be targeted.”
The warning to ships came hours after Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the waterway will remain closed to operations until the United States continues to close Iranian ports.
