New Delhi, Mar 12: Amid rising tensions in West Asia and disruptions to global energy routes, Iranian authorities have reportedly permitted Indian vessels Strait of Hormuz transit, allowing ships flying the Indian flag to pass safely through the crucial maritime corridor, sources said on Wednesday.
The development comes as maritime movement in the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly following military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, escalating tensions across the region.
Earlier, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval wing, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, warned that vessels attempting to cross the strait must obtain clearance from Iranian authorities. He claimed that ships ignoring the warning risked being targeted, citing incidents involving vessels that allegedly attempted to sail through the passage without permission.
Iranian state media reported that Tehran has tightened controls over shipping in the area, but indicated that vessels not aligned with the interests of the United States and Israel could be allowed to pass through safely. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, with more than 20 million barrels of crude passing through it daily roughly a fifth of global consumption and nearly a quarter of seaborne oil trade. A large portion of global liquefied natural gas shipments also uses the same route.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that 28 Indian-flagged vessels are currently operating in the Persian Gulf region. Of these, 24 are positioned west of the strait carrying 677 Indian seafarers, while four vessels east of the passage have 101 crew members on board.
Officials said the situation is being closely monitored through a 24-hour control room set up by the ministry and the Directorate General of Shipping. Indian authorities are coordinating with ship operators, recruitment agencies and diplomatic missions to ensure the safety of seafarers and protect the country’s maritime interests amid the evolving regional crisis.