Indian authorities have disclosed that the product tanker MV Chiron 7 was targeted by Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units on April 25 while operating near Shinas Port in Oman, close to the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to officials from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, IRGC units approached the Togolese-flagged tanker and fired warning shots, reportedly in an attempt to halt or control its movement. Some reports indicate a possible boarding attempt, though accounts vary on whether personnel actually boarded the vessel.
The tanker, with 17 Indian seafarers onboard, was not damaged, and no injuries were reported. Authorities confirmed that the crew remains safe, but the vessel is among many still affected by the ongoing disruption in the Persian Gulf.
At the time of the incident, MV Chiron 7 had been operating within the wider Gulf region, with recent positioning data placing her at anchorage near Sharjah in the UAE. Like many vessels in the area, she has been unable to conduct normal trading operations due to security restrictions and navigation risks linked to the Hormuz crisis.
The episode forms part of a broader pattern of escalating interference with commercial shipping. Indian officials also referenced earlier incidents involving containerships, including MV Euphoria, which was reportedly fired upon during transit, and MV Epaminondas, which was seized. Another vessel, MV MSC Francesca, was also detained.
In addition, two Indian-flagged vessels – the tanker Sanmar Herald and the bulk carrier Jag Arnav – were intercepted and ordered to turn back before entering the strait. Both ships remain at anchorage in the UAE, awaiting further developments.
According to Indian government data, 14 Indian-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, while more than 600 Indian seafarers were reported to be in the region as of late March. Diplomatic efforts have enabled at least 10 Indian vessels to transit the strait since the crisis began, but movements remain highly restricted.
The incident comes amid the wider Strait of Hormuz crisis, now entering its second month, with approximately 20,000 seafarers on more than 1,600 vessels still unable to safely transit. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) continues to warn that there is no safe passage through the waterway, citing ongoing attacks, vessel seizures, and the risk of naval mines.
