Iran Allows India-Flagged Ships Passage Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Regional Tensions

Iran has permitted several India-flagged vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Tehran’s envoy to India said on Saturday.

Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, disclosed this while speaking at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi.

“Yes, we have allowed some ships to pass through Hormuz, but we cannot say how many at this moment. Iran and India have historical relations and common interests,” Fathali said.

Indian authorities also confirmed that two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — successfully crossed the strategic waterway early Saturday.

According to a senior official from Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, the vessels were carrying a combined cargo of 92,712 metric tons of LPG.

Sinha added that there are currently 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf region.

Iran’s decision to allow the ships passage followed a phone conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday.

Tehran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since March 1 after joint attacks by Israel and the United States on Feb. 28 triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities.

The attacks reportedly killed more than 1,200 people, including Iran’s then-Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Since then, Iran has launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil and gas shipping routes, and disruptions to traffic through the channel have raised concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security.