Incentives, warnings and reassurances: how an Indian sailor navigated Hormuz

“It was psychological warfare and the conflicting authority at play, not knowing who to trust, was the most harrowing aspect of the trip,” the sailor said. File | Photo credit: Reuters

Chaos, uncertainty, numbness and conflicting orders marked the ordeal of an Indian seafarer aboard a tanker that sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (July 13, 2026).

Speaking to The Hindu, the sailor, who requested anonymity, explained how the fully loaded Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), carrying more than two million barrels of oil, and its crew were caught between threats from the Iranian navy and encouragement from the US to advance in the strait through the southern route near the coast of Oman.

Published – 14 Jul 2026 22:53 IST