Two Indian ships, a cargo ship and an oil tanker, were forced to make a U-turn in the Strait of Hormuz today after Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval forces denied them permission to pass, as Tehran reimposed strict military control over the vital waterway.
The cargo ship, identified as the Bhagya Laxmi (IMO 9351816), was approaching the strait from UAE waters when it was intercepted. Radio communications captured and shared on social media show an IRGC operator telling the crew, “There is no permission for you to cross the strait.” Following this, the ship’s crew immediately acknowledged the order and turned back without incident.
The Bhagya Laxmi, which flies the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and carries an all-Indian crew, reported its destination as “Indian ship Indian crew” over its transponder during the encounter, a message visible on maritime tracking data. No damage or injuries have been reported.
The ship is now moving back towards the Persian Gulf after spending the past few hours heading towards the Strait of Hormuz.
⚡️ ‘INDIAN SHIP INDIAN CREW’ makes u-turn in Hormuz after ‘ATTACK’
— RT (@RT_com) April 18, 2026
Strait under ‘STRICT’ Iranian military control after US ‘violations’ https://t.co/RVWGl697My pic.twitter.com/YxNSAV4Htr
Similarly, India crude oil tanker Desh Suraksha was also forced to return by Iranian forces. This ship had also reported its destination as “INDIAN SHIP IND CREW”, in a clear attempt to identify that it is an Indian ship operated by an Indian crew. The tanker had left Mina Saqr port in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, after loading oil, and marine traffic data shows that it is returning to the same port.
As per reports, many other ships are returning to their origin ports after the IRGC denied them permission to cross the waterway.
The incident comes hours after Iranian state media declared the Strait of Hormuz back under “strict military control” following alleged US violations of a recent navigation and de-escalation understanding.
Yesterday, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open for all commercial traffic during the 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. But US President Donald Trump announced that the US naval blockade will continue despite the opening by Iran. Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil corridors, will not remain open if the United States continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports. He made it clear that any movement through the strait would now depend strictly on Iranian authorisation and designated routes, signalling Tehran’s readiness to tighten control if pressure persists.
Following that, media reports said that Iran had reversed the brief reopening of the strait, with the IRGC Navy now actively enforcing transit permissions.
