Iran has reportedly allowed Indian-flagged oil tankers to safely transit the Strait of Hormuz, offering a limited easing of maritime tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
The development follows diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Tehran amid escalating regional conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
According to Indian government sources, the arrangement came after talks between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart, focusing on ensuring the safety of commercial shipping and protecting India’s energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz is vital to India’s energy security, as roughly 40% of the country’s crude oil imports pass through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global markets.
The first vessels have already begun transiting the strait under the reported assurances. Two Indian-flagged tankers, Pushpak and Parimal, were among those that passed safely through the route, carrying crude oil toward India.
Another tanker, "Shenlong" carrying Saudi crude, recently reached Mumbai after crossing the strait, highlighting the tentative reopening of the shipping route for Indian vessels.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has sharply declined in recent days as tensions intensified following military strikes on Iran and subsequent threats by Tehran to disrupt global oil shipments.
Several merchant vessels have been attacked in the area, including a Thailand-flagged cargo ship bound for India that was struck by projectiles earlier this week.
Despite reports of safe passage, uncertainty remains about the scope of the arrangement. Some Iranian sources have denied that a formal agreement exists, suggesting the situation could still shift depending on developments in the wider conflict.
Officials in New Delhi are exploring alternative supply routes and energy sources to safeguard the country’s fuel imports should disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue.
The strait handles a significant share of global oil shipments, meaning any prolonged disruption could have major consequences for international energy markets and global trade - particularly in Asia.
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