Multiple media outlets today reported: "Two vessels flying the Indian flag were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz; the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador to lodge a protest." Why were Indian ships targeted?
This event appears contradictory at first glance but is actually deeply rooted in geopolitical calculation. Although India and Iran have long maintained cooperation in energy and diplomacy, under the tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz, it was no coincidence that Indian vessels became targets—this was a deliberate "strategic choice" by Iran amid multiple pressures.
Based on multiple sources, Iran’s decision to attack Indian vessels stems primarily from several core reasons:
* Amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and the U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports, Iran needed to demonstrate its determination and capability to block the Strait of Hormuz—while carefully avoiding direct attacks on American warships that could trigger full-scale war.
* Attacking U.S. aircraft carriers or military vessels carries extremely high risks, potentially threatening regime survival; whereas India, though a major power, has limited military deployment capabilities in the Persian Gulf, and India is unwilling to completely break relations with Iran at this time.
* Compared to attacking ships of European or allied nations, targeting Indian vessels would provoke the least international backlash. Iran believes India, due to its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy imports and the need for regional balance, will ultimately choose only diplomatic protests rather than military retaliation.
The choice to attack Indian ships reflects Iran’s strong resentment toward India’s "pro-Israel" stance.
Iran feels deeply disappointed and angry over Prime Minister Modi’s recent diplomatic pivot. This attack carries clear punitive intent:
“Fatherland Israel” remarks: During his visit to Israel, Modi once stated, “Israel is our fatherland, India is our motherland,” and signed a massive defense agreement. To Iran, India is providing military support and political endorsement to its archenemy (Israel).
Alleged intelligence leaks: Analysts suggest that Iran suspects India provided critical intelligence to the U.S. and Israel regarding the earlier attack on Iran’s naval vessel, the *Dena*. Attacking an Indian oil tanker is thus seen as a form of “retaliation after the fact.”
India’s extreme dependence on Middle Eastern energy—over 60% of its crude oil imports come from the region—places it in a vulnerable position.
Iran is well aware that India dares not easily sever ties with Iran, given India’s need for Iranian oil and access through the Chabahar port. This asymmetrical dependency enables Iran to pressure India into maintaining stricter neutrality between the U.S. and Iran, or even ceasing to provide intelligence support to the United States.
In summary, Iran’s attack on Indian ships is a threefold strategy: it avoids direct military confrontation with the U.S., retaliates against India’s pro-Israel policies, and simultaneously demonstrates its ability to block the strait to the world. India now finds itself in a dilemma—limited to diplomatic protests to protect its interests while urgently activating emergency energy reserves to mitigate the risk of supply disruption.
In conclusion, the attack on Indian vessels was not impulsive but a calculated move with deep strategic meaning. The facts show that they struck—and India, so far, has only responded with protests, without any further retaliatory actions. What India has done, it knows best. Using this moment to deliver a lesson is not excessive. Taking a silent loss might also teach it a valuable lesson. A great power must bear the responsibility befitting its stature—don’t engage in petty, underhanded schemes. You eat from someone’s bowl, yet you dare to break their pot? That’s exactly the response you deserve. Attacking your ship isn’t without reason.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862864582347788/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.