Iran Grants Safe Passage to India-Flagged Ships Through Strait of Hormuz

In a significant diplomatic development amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, Iran has permitted India-flagged vessels to transit the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple reports citing government sources.

The allowance follows high-level talks between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. At least two Indian tankers, the Pushpak and Parimal, have reportedly begun safe passage through the narrow waterway, which handles roughly 20% of global oil and gas flows.

This exception comes as Iran maintains strict restrictions on ships linked to the United States, Israel, Europe, and their allies, following its closure of the strait in retaliation for US-Israeli airstrikes that began on February 28. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has targeted several commercial vessels in recent days, including a Thai-flagged cargo ship bound for India’s Kandla port that was attacked on March 11, drawing condemnation from New Delhi.

India’s neutral stance in the conflict,  condemning attacks on commercial shipping while avoiding direct alignment, appears to have facilitated the arrangement. The breakthrough helps safeguard India’s energy security, as the country relies heavily on Gulf crude and LNG imports. With dozens of Indian-flagged or crewed vessels previously delayed or at risk, the move eases immediate pressures on supply chains.

The strait remains highly volatile, with ongoing threats, reduced traffic, and no signs of a broader reopening. Global energy markets continue to reel from the disruptions, while India has diversified sourcing to around 40 countries via alternate routes where feasible.

The development is widely viewed as a diplomatic success for New Delhi in navigating the crisis.