The Indian Navy continues to deploy a warship under Operation SANKALP to guarantee the safe transit of Indian Flag Vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. This move comes in light of the deteriorating relations between the US and Iran. Launched on 19th June 2019, this operation reflects the Indian Navy’s critical role in preserving safety and maintaining peace in the high-stakes Gulf region.
Understanding Operation SANKALP
The Indian Navy initiated Operation SANKALP in response to the escalating tension between the US and Iran. The primary aim of this operation is to maintain a deterrent presence, offer reassurance to Indian merchant ships, keep track of the ongoing situation, and promptly react to any emergent crises. It also exemplifies the Indian Navy’s commitment to protecting national maritime interests in important waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.
US-Iran Relations: A Brief History
1979 marked the watershed moment in US-Iran relations when the US-backed Shah of Iran was ousted, and the country transformed into an Islamic republic. Events spiralled down with dozens of Americans taken hostage inside the US embassy in Tehran, further straining the relationship.
Hope emerged in 2015 when Iran consented to limit its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of stringent economic sanctions. However, this diplomatic win was short-lived as the US president abandoned the Nuclear Accord in 2018, reinstating US sanctions to coerce Iran into accepting a new deal, an offer which Iran rejected despite plunging their economy into recession.
Recent Developments & Escalations
The situation intensified in 2019 with the application of secondary sanctions on nations continuing to trade with Iran. This move was paralleled by a series of sabotage operations on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, further souring relations.
By the end of the year, Tehran started suspending some of the commitments under the nuclear deal, inciting attacks and counter-attacks from both countries. The peak of the crisis came in January 2020 when Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking Iranian military official, was assassinated in a US drone strike at Baghdad airport. Consequently, Iran abandoned the last limit on its enrichment of uranium imposed by the nuclear accord, fuelling the already turbulent situation in the Gulf region.
A Snapshot of Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1979 | US-backed Shah of Iran overthrown; country becomes an Islamic republic |
| 2015 | Iran agrees on a deal to limit its nuclear programme |
| 2018 | US abandons Nuclear Accord and reinstates sanctions |
| 2019 | Turmoil intensifies with sabotaged oil tankers and suspended commitments |
| 2020 | Assassination of Qasem Soleimani and Iran’s abandonment of nuclear accord limits |
Indian Navy’s Role amid the Crisis
In these troubled times, the Indian Navy has taken up the mantle to ensure the safety of Indian merchant ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. Through Operation SANKALP, it aims to provide a sense of security, remain vigilant with respect to the evolving situation, and be prepared to deal with any potential crisis. As such, it underlines the Indian Navy’s resilience and readiness in safeguarding national maritime interests.