Iran has allowed vessels from a group of “friendly nations”, including India and Russia, to transit the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
In a post cited by Iran’s consulate in Mumbai, Araghchi listed India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan among those countries whose vessels would be permitted safe passage through the chokepoint, identifying them as “friendly states.”
The strait – a critical artery for global energy trade – controls the transit of around a fifth of the world’s total oil and gas supplies, with its blockade by Iran severely disrupting global maritime trade, and resulting in massive increase in prices across the energy sector, while some countries heavily dependent on energy imports have issued national energy emergency.
Tehran has said passage remains conditional, open only to “non hostile” states, with its mission to the UN confirming that only those vessels could transit the strait who have neither participated in nor supported actions against Iran and complied with security protocols coordinated with Iranian authorities.
This comes as tensions have further increased in the Gulf, leading to greater disruptions in shipping, with traffic significantly curtailed, and energy markets reeling under increasing pressure.
India, which relies heavily on imported energy, said two of its flagged tankers had successfully navigated the strait during the conflict.
New Delhi imports about 85% of its oil and nearly half of its natural gas, with roughly half of its oil supplies and more than half of its liquefied natural gas shipments passing through Hormuz.
Indian authorities last week rejected reports that Tehran had sought the release of three seized oil tankers as part of discussions over safe passage.
