‘Sepah Navy! Motor Tanker Sanmar Herald’: Audio of shooting of Indian vessels at Strait of Hormuz released

On April 18, two tankers flying the Indian flag turned back in the waterway after being fired upon by Iranian gunboats. According to reports, there were no reported injuries, and the firing did not do any damage to the vessels.The Strait of Hormuz, which transports one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas, is still at the centre of turmoil in the midst of a conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

In an audio clip released by Tanker Tracker, the crew of the ship can be heard pleading with the Iranian forces that they were given clearance.

Audio of the Indian oil tanker Sanmar Herald pleading with Iranian forces to stop shooting at it in the Strait of Hormuz this morning. pic.twitter.com/7Y5n7Jb7o0

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 18, 2026

According to Tanker Tracker, Two Channel 16 audio recordings obtained today claim that Iran’s Sepah (IRGC) Navy drove two Indian ships back west out of the Strait of Hormuz. There was firing. One of the ships is a VLCC supertanker flying the Indian flag that is transporting two million barrels of Iraqi oil.

According to two Channel 16 audio recordings captured today, two Indian vessels were forced back west out of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran’s Sepah (IRGC) Navy. Firing was involved. One of the vessels is an Indian-flagged VLCC supertanker carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil.… pic.twitter.com/c1uOvmKDNO

— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) April 18, 2026

In the audio clipping, the crew can be heard saying the following, ““Sepah Navy! Motor Tanker Sanmar Herald! Sanmar Herald! Sepah Navy! You gave me clearance! You gave me clearance to go! Sepah Navy! Sepah Navy! This is motor tanker Sanmar Herald! You gave me clearance to go! My name second on your list! You gave me clearance to go! You are firing now! Let me turn back!”United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Confirms Attack

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed the attack.

UKMTO WARNING 037-26

Click here to view the full Warning⤵️https://t.co/3Fxxl1HHUA#MaritimeSecurity #Marsec pic.twitter.com/SCG3TglveA— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) April 18, 2026

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