Audio Leak Reveals IRGC Fired on Indian Tanker After Granting Transit Permission, Delhi Summons Iranian Ambassador

A dramatic audio recording reveals that an Indian-flagged tanker was given permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz before being directly fired upon by vessels of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This incident, which occurred earlier Saturday, has triggered a rare diplomatic confrontation between two BRICS nations, with India summoning the Iranian ambassador in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest.

According to reports from UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the tanker was approached by two IRGC gunboats. Crucially, there was no VHF radio challenge before the vessel came under fire. The Indian government's statement, while measured, underscores the gravity of the situation, noting the attack involved two Indian-flagged ships. The core tension stems from the discrepancy between the 'approved' transit the Indian vessel believed it had and the subsequent hostile action by Iranian forces.

The incident places immediate pressure on maritime security protocols and bilateral relations. India's Foreign Secretary conveyed 'deep concern' over the shooting, emphasizing the nation's paramount importance on the safety of merchant shipping and mariners. This event not only re-highlights the persistent volatility in the Strait of Hormuz but also signals a potential fracture in diplomatic alignment within the BRICS bloc, as member states are drawn into a direct security dispute over freedom of navigation and the use of force.