Full Breakdown
India-Iran Security Dialogue Amid Strait of Hormuz Attacks
By Drooid · · How we work
Phone Call Between Ajit Doval and Mohsen Rezaei
On October 12, 2026, India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval spoke by telephone with Dr Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The conversation took place against a backdrop of heightened maritime tension in the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent Maritime Incidents Involving Indian Seafarers
The call followed two attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on October 11, 2026. A drone strike on the tanker MT Petrol Dolphin – carrying eleven Indian seafarers – left two crew members missing. A separate incident involving the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Valthera resulted in a fire but, per the Indian Embassy in Muscat, all eleven Indian crew members on that vessel were reported safe. The Ministry of External Affairs told Parliament in July that the West Asia conflict had killed 16 Indian nationals (including 10 seafarers) and injured 75 others since February.
Diplomatic Background
India’s engagement with Iran has been sustained through multiple channels. In September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, urging a return to dialogue. Earlier, on June 22, Deputy Secretary for Defense Affairs of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ghadir Nezamipour, visited India and met Doval during the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also raised India’s concerns with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Official Statements & Responses
The Iranian Embassy’s social-media post emphasized the exchange of views without detailing specific topics. The Indian Embassy in Muscat highlighted its coordination with Omani authorities to assist the missing crew and affirmed that the safety of Indian seafarers remains a government priority.
Strategic Implications
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical conduit for global oil and liquefied natural gas; disruptions threaten India’s energy security and trade costs. By maintaining communication with Tehran, New Delhi seeks to balance historic ties with Iran against its strategic partnership with Gulf Arab states and broader concerns over U.S.–Iran and Israel–Iran confrontations. Continued attacks on shipping could elevate regional oil prices and complicate India’s economic interests, underscoring the importance of diplomatic channels such as the Doval-Rezaei dialogue.