Viral distress call from Indian ship after Iranian attack: ‘You gave clearance, you are firing now’

Viral distress call from Indian ship after Iranian attack: ‘You gave clearance, you are firing now’
April 19, 2026

An audio making the rounds across social media appears to capture a tense exchange involving Indian vessels reportedly targeted by the Iranian Navy in the Strait of Hormuz. In the clip, a ship official can be heard stating that the vessel had been granted clearance to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, yet it was still being fired upon by Iranian forces.

“Sepah Navy, this is motor tanker Sanmar Herald. You gave me clearance to go. My name second on your list. You are firing now. Let me turn back,” the official onboard the Indian ship could be heard saying in a clip shared by Tanker Trackers, a maritime intelligence firm that tracks shipments.

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