A strategic affairs expert has suggested a quiet diplomatic understanding between India and Iran may have enabled LPG tankers to cross the Strait of Hormuz during escalating regional tensions.
Iranian soldiers patrol the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran on April 30, 2019. The waterway carries about 20% of global oil supply and remains a key global energy chokepoint. (Photo: Xinhua/IANS)
A possible behind-the-scenes understanding between India and Iran may have helped Indian-bound LPG tankers safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite escalating tensions in the region, according to a claim made by strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney.
The suggestion comes as a report on Saturday said that two Indian LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, have managed to cross the crucial maritime corridor.
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In a post on X, Chellaney said the safe transit of the vessels may have followed a quiet arrangement between New Delhi and Tehran. According to him, India allowed about 180 Iranian sailors to return home on a chartered aircraft, while Iran permitted two LPG tankers bound for India to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
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Reports earlier today said that the Indian-flagged LPG tanker Shivalik had successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz and entered open waters under the escort of the Indian Navy.
Another LPG vessel, Nanda Devi, also safely exited the strategic waterway carrying more than 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a crucial fuel supply for India.
The safe movement of the ships came at a time when shipping through the narrow corridor, one of the world’s busiest oil routes, has been severely disrupted by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Chellaney wrote that the chartered aircraft carrying Iranian sailors departed from Kochi, transporting crew members from the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan, which had docked there after the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was reportedly torpedoed and sunk by the United States.
Deal With Tehran Gets India’s Tankers Through Hormuz: Under a deal struck between New Delhi and Tehran, India allowed about 180 Iranian sailors to return home on a chartered flight last night, while Iran permitted two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers bound for India to…
— Dr. Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) March 14, 2026
Another Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Bushehr, had docked in Sri Lanka, he said.
According to the post, Sri Lanka refused to allow the return of 208 crew members and 32 survivors of the sunken frigate under pressure from the United States. However, it permitted the same aircraft to carry 84 bodies of Iranian sailors killed in the attack.
Chellaney added that India is now negotiating safe passage for additional oil and gas tankers as disruptions continue to affect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, handling nearly 20 per cent of global oil and gas shipments.
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