2 more Indian vessels crossing Strait of Hormuz as Iran allows safe passage: Report

Days after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that India is among the friendly nations allowed safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, two more merchant vessels carrying petroleum products for India are crossing the crucial chokepoint amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

According to news agency ANI, the cargo vessels are carrying energy products and Indian Navy warships are on standby to assist them.

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Citing sources, the agency also reported that more Indian vessels are expected to cross the Strait of Hormuz soon.

The development follows Araghchi’s reported remarks saying that India is among friendly nations and ships with the country’s flag shall be allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

“We have permitted certain countries that we consider friendly to pass through (Strait of Hormuz). We allowed China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan to transit,” Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said, according to Iranian State TV.

He, however, added that ships linked to enemy countries will not be allowed to sail through the chokepoint waterway. “The region is a war zone, and there is no reason to allow the ships of our enemies to pass through,” he said.

Earlier, speaking at a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Rajesh Kumar Sinha said the government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all stakeholders.

“In the Gulf region, there has been no information in the last 24 hours regarding any incident involving Indian-flagged ships or Indian seafarers. All are safe,” Sinha said, adding that Indian ships operating in the Persian Gulf are also safe.

“In the Persian Gulf, there are 20 ships sailing under the Indian flag, with around 540 Indians onboard, and they are also safe,” he said.

The official further stated that the Directorate General of Shipping has responded to all the queries in the last 24 hours.

“In the last 24 hours, the DG Shipping communication centre, which operates 24 hours a day, received 98 calls and 335 emails, all of which were responded to,” he added.

According to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), four India-bound LPG vessels have also successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz and are expected to arrive in India next week.