11 India-Bound Ships Pass Strait Of Hormuz After US-Iran Sign MoU, 10 More To Transit

Following the finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran to end the ongoing conflict in West Asia, 11 ships bound for India have left the Strait of Hormuz.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the information on Tuesday.

In a media briefing, he said, "As of today, we have 10 Indian-flagged vessels which are still in the Persian Gulf region. In addition, two have recently arrived there".

Jaiswal added, "Since the signing of the MoU on June 17, 11 India-bound vessels have transited through the Strait of Hormuz".

The MEA spokesperson further said, "These ships include three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers (each carrying over 2,85,000 MT of crude oil), one foreign-flagged LPG carrier, one foreign-flagged crude oil tanker and six foreign-flagged bulk carriers (carrying fertiliser cargo)."

ALSO READ: 'No Further Negotiations If…': Trump Claims Iran Agreed To Long-Term Nuclear Inspections

Randhir Jaiswal further said, "We hope that the remaining India-flagged vessels would also be able to cross the Hormuz soon".

Hormuz opens after 60-day ceasefire reached

The US and Iran have reached a 60-day ceasefire agreement. Under this agreement, the two countries have agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. While the US decided to lift the blockade, Iran also agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz has become the centre of the US-Iran conflict. After the US and Israel launched a series of attacks on Iran on February 28, Tehran effectively closed the Strait, choking 20 per cent of the world's oil supplies.

ALSO READ: Will Iran-US Peace Talks Shift To Pakistan? President Pezeshkian Arrives In Islamabad After Switzerland Round

However, in April, the two sides reached a temporary truce, but due to Israel's continued operations in Lebanon, Iran refused to open Hormuz. On April 13, the US announced a naval blockade of the Strait, citing Iran's decision. 

The waterway was opened briefly on April 17 but was closed again by Iran after the US failed to lift the blockade. Since the US-Iran agreement, the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened.