Amidst ongoing military conflict with Israel and the United States in the Middle East, Iran has granted safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to vessels from six specific nations, including Bangladesh. Tehran announced that the waterway remains open for designated "friendly states" and specially authorized countries. Alongside Bangladesh, Iran’s list of permitted nations includes India, Iraq, China, Russia, and Pakistan.
The narrow strait is a global chokepoint, facilitating the transit of one-fifth of the world’s total oil supply and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Since the commencement of hostilities involving the U.S. and Israel last month, Tehran has imposed strict controls over the passage, leading to a severe global energy crisis and massive disruptions in supply chains.
In an interview with Iranian state television, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that Western media reports claiming the waterway is entirely closed are inaccurate.
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"Many shipping companies from various countries have contacted us requesting safe passage," Araghchi stated. "For those we consider friendly nations or those granted permission for other reasons, our armed forces are ensuring the safe transit of their vessels."
Araghchi specifically noted that China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, and India are on this list, confirming that two Indian vessels successfully transited the strait in recent nights. "I believe Bangladesh is also on this list. These countries have coordinated with us, and this cooperation will continue despite the war," he added.
However, the Foreign Minister made it clear that ships belonging to direct combatants or those deemed hostile will be blocked. Strict prohibitions remain in place for vessels from the U.S., Israel, and certain Gulf nations perceived to be supporting the war effort.
"We are currently in a state of war; this region is a battlefield," Araghchi said. "There is no reason to allow the passage of enemy ships or their allies. However, for others, the route remains open."
The enforcement of these rules was highlighted earlier this week when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intercepted a Pakistan-bound container ship. The vessel, 'Celine,' traveling from Sharjah, UAE, to Karachi, was forced to turn back mid-journey due to a lack of transit authorization.
Iran is currently maintaining control over the strait through drone and missile capabilities. According to data from Lloyd’s List, the route typically sees around 120 ships daily. However, between March 1 and March 25, traffic plummeted by 95%.
Research firm Kpler reports that only 155 ships transited the path during this period, 99 of which were oil and gas tankers. The resulting global energy shortage is driving up costs for sectors ranging from airlines to supermarkets, prompting several governments to consider emergency relief measures similar to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: NDTV
