New Delhi, March 26: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Thursday that “friendly nations,” including India, have been granted permission to navigate the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement comes as the vital waterway remains a central point of contention in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, which has triggered a surge in global oil prices.
The Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai affirmed the move via a public statement, noting that India, Pakistan, Iraq, China, and Russia are among the countries permitted passage. This reprieve follows Tehran’s demands for international recognition of its sovereignty over the strait in response to a 15-point peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Ministry of Shipping provided further reassurance regarding the safety of national interests in the Gulf region. Special Secretary Rajesh Sinha stated during an inter-ministerial briefing that all Indian ships and sailors are currently safe. He maintained that two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, the Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, have already successfully navigated the strait and are currently en-route to India.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asserted that the prolonged closure of the waterway is obstructing the movement of essential commodities like oil, gas, and fertilizer during the critical planting season. While the Iranian mission in New York declared that “non-hostile vessels” may benefit from safe passage, the Iranian Defence Council clarified that transit is strictly dependent on prior coordination with Iranian officials.
