India Sends Warships to Protect Ships in Strait of Hormuz
After Israel struck Iran’s key gas field, a rapid cycle of retaliation hit major Gulf energy hubs, prompting India to deploy naval ships to protect its trade routes.
On 18 March 2026, Israel carried out a major strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field—one of the world’s largest energy sources—disrupting nearly 10–12% of Iran’s gas production. Dramatic visuals of fire and smoke quickly spread online as emergency teams rushed to the site.
Iran responded the same night with retaliatory strikes on Israeli energy infrastructure.
The conflict rapidly escalated, with Iran also targeting key sites in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. One of the most significant attacks hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest LNG hub, damaging about 17% of its export capacity and potentially taking years to recover.
Amid rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for global energy trade—India stepped in to safeguard its interests.
Around 19 March, it deployed naval warships to protect Indian ships and cargo passing through the region, without taking sides in the conflict.
