Two Indian-flagged ships have reportedly been allowed to transit through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the United States, even as many other vessels remain stranded due to fears of being caught in the crossfire that erupted on February 28.
According to sources, the Indian ships began their passage through the crucial maritime route between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. An official confirmation from the authorities is still awaited.
The development comes just two days after a Liberian-flagged oil tanker carrying Saudi crude — captained by an Indian — successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz and docked at Mumbai on Wednesday. The vessel became the first India-bound ship to safely pass through the waterway since maritime traffic sharply declined following military strikes on Iran by the US and Israel.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the latest developments in the escalating tensions in West Asia.
The nearly two-week-long confrontation between the US and Iran has turned the Strait of Hormuz into a major flashpoint, with Iran claiming control over the critical passage while the US disputes the assertion.
Shipping movement in the area has largely slowed since US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory actions from Tehran.
Iran issues warning to vessels
The reported passage of the Indian ships comes amid a stern warning from Iran, which has instructed vessels intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to seek prior approval or risk being targeted.
Alireza Tangsiri, a rear admiral and commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, said that two vessels that ignored the warning were attacked in the Strait on Wednesday.
In a post on X, he said ships that ignored Iranian instructions were intercepted after attempting to cross the passage, warning that any vessel planning to transit the waterway must first obtain permission from Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. More than 20 million barrels of crude oil — nearly one-fifth of global oil consumption — pass through the narrow corridor every day. A significant portion of global liquefied natural gas shipments also moves through the same route.
Any disruption in traffic through the Strait can quickly impact global energy markets, supply chains and fuel prices worldwide.
