Iran War: 'Hormuz is closed, go back immediately', Iranian forces turn back Indian ship mid-way, audio message goes viral.:Iran War: Iranian military officials turned back an Indian ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Audio footage of the entire conversation between the Bhagya Lakshmi's captain and the Iranian officer has surfaced.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday (April 18) intercepted an Indian ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz and ordered it to return to port immediately. An audio recording captured the entire conversation between the Indian ship's captain and an Iranian Navy captain.

The captain of the Indian ship was told by an Iranian (IRGC) official that the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and that he should return to his port immediately. The Iranian official then said, "Go back immediately."

The Indian captain then replied, "Okay. I repeat, the Strait of Hormuz is still closed, okay sir." The IRGC Navy captain then replied, "Yes, sir."

Bhagya Lakshmi ship returned

The ship changed course immediately afterward. The crew of the Bhagya Lakshmi shared the entire conversation with the Iranian Navy. Prior to this audio recording, Iranian gunboats also fired on two Indian-flagged ships carrying Iraqi oil. However, there were no reports of casualties in the exchange.

India summoned the Iranian ambassador

The Indian government has expressed deep concern over this entire matter and summoned the Iranian ambassador. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador to New Delhi and held talks with him. India's Foreign Secretary clearly expressed his concern. He stated that the firing on two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday was a very serious matter. The Foreign Secretary also recalled that Iran had previously assisted in providing safe passage to a ship bound for India. Therefore, there is still hope that Iran will cooperate.

Strait of Hormuz closed again

An Iranian official stated that all ships could pass only after coordination with the IRGC. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the passage was open following a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Following Araghchi's statement, shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz increased, but the IRGC has since closed the strategic waterway again in protest of the US economic blockade of Iranian ports.