Alleged distress call from Indian tanker adds uncertainty as India raises concerns with Iran over firing incident
April 19, 2026: An alleged audio clip claiming to capture a distress call from an Indian-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz has surfaced online, intensifying scrutiny around a recent maritime confrontation involving Iranian forces. The 30-second recording, shared by Tanker Trackers, reportedly features a crew member from the tanker Sanmar Herald urgently requesting permission to turn back after coming under fire. However, the authenticity of the clip has not been officially verified.
According to widely circulated posts, the voice in the recording addresses the “Sepah Navy,” referring to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, and claims the vessel had earlier been cleared to proceed before shots were fired. The clip has quickly gone viral, but there has been no confirmation from Indian authorities, Iranian agencies, or global maritime bodies regarding its accuracy or the exact sequence of events.
The development comes after Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest following reports that two Indian-flagged tankers were fired upon on April 18. India expressed concern over the safety of crew members and commercial shipping, urging Iran to ensure secure passage through the critical route. The ambassador has reportedly assured that India’s concerns will be conveyed to authorities in Tehran.