Incidents involving commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, multiple commercial vessels, including a French-operated ship and at least two Indian-flagged tankers, reported being fired upon or harassed by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) patrol boats while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The incidents occurred shortly after Iran reimposed restrictions on the strategic waterway. Among the affected vessels identified are the Indian-flagged oil tanker 'Sanmar Herald' and the Malta-flagged 'Mein Schiff 4'. While some reports mention warning shots and damage to cargo, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that all vessels and their crews remained safe. India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the attack on two Indian-flagged ships, summoning the Iranian ambassador to New Delhi to express deep concern and request the facilitation of transit. US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, characterizing the events as a violation of agreements and noting that US-Iran talks are ongoing despite the regional provocations. Sources differ slightly on whether the ships were directly fired upon or were targeted by warning shots, but confirm that ships were forced to alter their courses.