Sanmar Herald

Sanmar Herald, an Indian-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC), was fired upon by IRGC gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz on 18 April 2026 despite having received prior radio clearance from Iranian authorities to transit. An intercepted bridge transmission captured the crew's response: "You gave me permission to go... you are firing now!" The attack prompted India's Ministry of External Affairs to summon Iran's ambassador in Delhi.

Sanmar Herald is a VLCC — a tanker class capable of carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil or more. Very large crude carriers operate the major oil export routes from the Persian Gulf to Asian refineries. Indian-flagged and Indian-crewed vessels had typically been able to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the 2026 conflict under the assumption of diplomatic protection from Tehran, given India's position as a major Iranian crude buyer and non-aligned power.

The attack on Sanmar Herald, alongside the simultaneous attack on Jag Arnav, represents a significant escalation: IRGC action against a vessel that had received explicit clearance, carried an Indian flag, and was crewed by Indian nationals. It was the proximate cause of India's first formal diplomatic protest of the 2026 war.