Doval speaks to Iran NSA, discusses ‘latest developments’ after ships attacked in Hormuz

Two merchant ships carrying Indian crew members were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The incidents matter because they endangered civilians and disrupted commercial shipping through a vital international waterway. India condemned the attacks and called for immediate de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy.

The Nicaragua-flagged MT Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone. Two Indian sailors remain missing, while 10 people were rescued: nine Indians and one Bangladeshi national. The Marshall Islands-flagged MT Valthera was hit by a projectile and caught fire. All 11 Indian sailors aboard that ship were reported safe.

Iran’s readout of a call between Ajit Doval and Mohsin Rezaei did not mention the attacks. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that ships switching off navigation and identification systems would be treated as hostile. India says the safety of its seafarers is a priority, while recurring attacks threaten wider maritime commerce.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between Iran and Oman. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, which opens into the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean. This makes it the main sea gateway for vessels serving ports around the Gulf.

Ships use the strait to carry crude oil, fuel, cargo, and other goods between Gulf countries and international markets. Because the passage is narrow, ships have limited room to avoid hazards, blockades, mines, or attacks. Safe navigation and reliable identification are therefore especially important.

The article describes Iran enforcing a blockade there since March 2026 and warning ships that disable navigation and identification systems. The attacks on the Petro Dolphin and Valthera show how quickly danger in the passage can affect civilian crews. Any prolonged disruption can delay voyages, raise shipping risks, and threaten the flow of maritime commerce.

The two ships together carried 23 sailors. Their crews were directly exposed to attacks in a narrow waterway under blockade, making the incident more than a shipping disruption: it became a serious safety crisis for seafarers.

The Petro Dolphin carried 12 people identified in the report: two Indian sailors are missing, while 10 others were rescued, including nine Indians and one Bangladeshi national. The Valthera carried 11 Indian sailors, all of whom were safe after the ship was hit and caught fire. This accounts for the reported total of 23 sailors.

The wider situation is larger still. At least 139 Indians are believed to be stuck in the strait. The Shipping Ministry also confirmed that at least 11 Indian seafarers had died in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf region since the war began. India says their safety remains a priority.

Iran has imposed the blockade to control movement through the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict described in the article. The blockade began in March 2026, after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran that, according to the article, killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran says ships must remain identifiable and follow authorised routes.

The IRGC Navy warned that any vessel switching off navigation and identification systems to escape detection would be identified as hostile and dealt with firmly. It also said a tanker that caught fire had tried to use an unauthorised route. Press TV reported that Iran had mined the strait and that a third crude oil super-tanker struck a naval mine.

These measures create danger for ordinary commercial vessels, even when crews are not participating in the conflict. Ships must balance visibility, route restrictions, and mine risks. Iran’s warnings could deter vessels, while continued enforcement could further reduce safe maritime access and intensify regional tensions.

Attacks and mines can turn commercial shipping into a direct danger to civilian crews. Sailors may be killed, injured, trapped, or forced to abandon damaged vessels. Shipowners may also face delays, higher insurance costs, and difficult decisions about whether to enter the waterway.

The article gives two immediate examples. A drone struck the Petro Dolphin, leaving two Indian sailors missing while 10 people were rescued. A projectile hit the Valthera, which caught fire, although all 11 Indian sailors aboard were safe. The article also reports that a third crude oil super-tanker struck a naval mine.

The wider effects can spread through regional trade. Cargoes may be delayed, fuel movements disrupted, and crews stranded. India says recurring attacks risk aggravating an already volatile situation. At least 11 Indian seafarers had died in the wider conflict since it began, showing the human cost of continued insecurity.

If the Strait of Hormuz becomes unsafe, ships can avoid it by delaying departure or taking a much longer route around the Arabian Peninsula and through the Red Sea, where conditions permit. Some cargoes can also use pipelines, railways, roads, or ports connected to overland networks. The best option depends on the cargo, destination, and security situation.

A tanker carrying oil might use an available pipeline to bypass the strait, while container ships could reroute around the peninsula. Operators may also strengthen escorts, coordinate with maritime authorities, or travel in organised groups. These methods reduce exposure to one hazard but do not remove risks elsewhere.

Such alternatives are costly and limited. Longer voyages consume more fuel and take more time. Pipelines and land routes have finite capacity and may not handle every kind of cargo. The article does not identify a specific alternative route, but its warnings about mines and attacks show why companies may consider diversion or delay.

A maritime chokepoint matters because many ships must pass through a limited space to reach open water. That concentrates trade, crews, and energy shipments in one location. A blockade, mine, or attack can therefore affect vessels far beyond the immediate conflict zone.

In the article, Iran’s blockade and mine-related dangers are already affecting merchant ships. The Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone, and the Valthera was hit by a projectile and caught fire. India is especially exposed because it accounts for 12.16% of the global seafaring workforce, while at least 139 Indians are believed to be stuck in the strait.

The consequences can spread through shipping schedules, energy deliveries, and prices, although the article does not quantify those effects. India has called for freedom of navigation and safe maritime commerce. Unless attacks and the blockade end, risks to crews and regional trade could grow.