West Asia Conflict: Iran has allowed India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic talks between the two countries, as New Delhi sought to ensure the safe movement of crude
oil and natural gas shipments through the vital waterway.
Indian-flagged tankers Pushpak and Parimal were able to transit the strait safely even as vessels linked to the United States, Europe and Israel continue to face restrictions amid the ongoing regional conflict, people familiar with the matter said.
Safe navigation of tankers through the Hormuz was a key issue when External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar spoke with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi late Tuesday. The call was their third conversation since the start of the Iran conflict.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Union Minister held telephonic conversations with several leaders including, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot and the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, to discuss the impact of the crisis on global security and energy markets.
“A good telecon with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Shared our assessments on the West Asia conflict and related efforts. Also took stock of our bilateral cooperation agenda. @mfa_russia,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, a Thai-flagged bulk carrier bound for India came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, setting part of the vessel ablaze and triggering an emergency rescue operation as the war between Iran and the United States continues to destabilise one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
The vessel, Mayuree Naree, had departed Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates and was en route to Kandla port in Gujarat when it was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the narrow Gulf shipping lane.
The Mayuree Naree is a 178-metre bulk carrier with a displacement of approximately 30,000 tonnes, owned by Bangkok-listed transport company Precious Shipping Pcl.
The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement condemning the attack, warning that the targeting of civilian shipping in the ongoing West Asia conflict is escalating to dangerous new levels.
“India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia,” the MEA said, adding that “the intensity and lethality of the attacks only seems to be increasing.”
However, despite tensions in the region, tanker tracking data reviewed by news agency Reuters indicated Iranian crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have continued at near-normal levels. Maritime intelligence firm TankerTrackers.com estimated Iran has exported about 13.7 million barrels of crude since the conflict began on February 28.
Shipping analysts said that Iran has an incentive to keep the strategic waterway at least partially open as long as its own oil exports continue to move through the region. At the same time, attacks on foreign vessels have significantly reduced non-Iranian shipping traffic through the narrow passage, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.
