Amid Iran‑US war, two Indian‑flagged ships reportedly secured safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while most other vessels remain stranded due to fears of being caught in the crossfire that erupted on February 28. Sources say the ships began transiting between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
This follows the arrival of a Liberian-flagged tanker carrying Saudi Arabian crude, led by an Indian captain, which passed through the Strait of Hormuz two days ago and has now docked at Mumbai port. It is the first vessel bound for India to successfully navigate the waterway, where maritime activity has nearly ceased following attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key oil passage separating Iran from Oman, has become a flashpoint amid rising US-Iran tensions. Over 20 million barrels of crude and a significant share of global LNG pass through the route daily, meaning disruptions can impact global markets and supply chains.
Iran has warned all ships to seek approval before passing through or risk being targeted. Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said two vessels were targeted on Wednesday. "Were the ships assured of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz? This should be asked of the crews of the vessels Express Rome and Mayuree Naree, who today, trusting in empty promises, ignored the warnings and intended to cross the Strait, but were caught. Any vessel intending to pass must obtain permission from Iran," he wrote on X.
On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the latest developments in the West Asia conflict.