Iran has permitted India-flagged tankers to travel through the Strait of Hormuz, providing significant respite to New Delhi as the global energy crisis worsens. According to NDTV sources, the breakthrough occurred following conversations between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Following the change, at least two Indian tankers, the Pushpak and the Parimal, are reported to be sailing safely through the strategically important strait, but vessels from the United States, Europe, and Israel continue to face limitations.
A Liberian-flagged ship carrying Saudi Arabian crude, captained by an Indian, likewise crossed the Strait of Hormuz two days ago and has berthed in Mumbai.A Liberian-flagged ship carrying Saudi Arabian crude, captained by an Indian, likewise crossed the Strait of Hormuz two days ago and has berthed in Mumbai. It became the first vessel bound for India to safely pass the channel, where maritime activity has been virtually suspended since the US and Israel attacked Iran.
Previously, the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Naval Force stated that vessels intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must acquire Iran's clearance. Otherwise, it may become the target of Iranian strikes.
The US-Israeli assault against Iran is now on its 12th day, with no end in sight, and it has badly disrupted marine commerce and left global oil prices skyrocketing.In response to continued US-Israeli strikes, Iran has tightened restrictions on ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has stated that vessels that do not serve the interests of the United States or Israel can pass through securely.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a 55-kilometre-wide sea corridor that connects Iran and Oman, separating the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Sea. It is a critical piece of global real estate for the energy sector, as well as one of the world's busiest and most strategically significant maritime routes.
Normally, almost 13 million barrels of oil per day pass through these waterways, accounting for roughly 31% of world oil flows.The strait's transportation restrictions affect key ports in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran itself. For several of these countries, the strait is the principal conduit for oil to global markets.
A major portion of the world's liquefied natural gas travels through the same passage. When that flow is disrupted even briefly, the ramifications spread globally across financial markets, supply systems, and household budgets.
According to US Defence Intelligence Agency mapping, Iran's military can reach the entire Strait of Hormuz and its approaches with anti-ship cruise missiles created from Chinese-made weapons.It may also target vessels with longer-range missiles, drones, swift assault craft, and naval mines, as it did during the Iran-Iraq War. The US strikes on mine-laying Iranian warships in this current clash highlight the magnitude of the threat.