• Source:JND
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Hormuz Blockade: As the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global energy supplies, Iran on Thursday assured India that all ships heading towards the country will be given safe passage. Calling India its "friend", Iran said that all India-bound ships, along with their sailors and crews, are safe and will be granted safe passage through the key waterway.

In a post on X, the Iranian Embassy in India wrote, "Our Indian friends are in safe hands, no worries". The assurance came amid the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the most important shipping routes for countries dependent on Gulf oil and gas. The strait has been under the control of Iran, and no ships have been allowed to pass through the strait.

Iran has hinted at setting up a toll system at the Strait. According to a report by AFP, quoting Iranian state media, a parliamentary commission on Monday had approved a plan to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

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The proposal includes "financial arrangements and rial toll systems" as well as cooperation with Oman on the other side of the strait. The proposal also suggested prohibiting American and Israeli vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, along with a ban on other countries imposing sanctions on Iran.

Around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Since the war began, crossings have plummeted by around 95%, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, with the impact felt across global energy markets. Iran has allowed ships from what it called "friendly nations" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, including India, Russia, Pakistan, China and Iraq.

As of March 30, as many as 19 ships with LPG, crude oil and LNG meant for India have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Shipping and Ports Ministry, 10 foreign-flagged vessels with energy cargo for India are currently stranded. These include three vessels with LPG, four crude oil tankers and three LNG carriers.

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Besides these, there are eight Indian-flagged vessels, including three LPG tankers, one LNG carrier and four crude oil tankers. The vessels were among the 500-odd ships that were stuck in the narrow strait amid the widening West Asia conflict. So far, eight Indian-flagged vessels have sailed out safely, carrying a combined LPG cargo of about 94,000 tonnes.

Countries Rally To Open The Strait of Hormuz:

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that he will host an international conference this week to discuss diplomatic and political measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The 35 countries include all G7 industrialised democracies except the US, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

The US has presented Iran with a 15-point plan for a ceasefire, but Donald Trump did not say anything in his speech about the diplomatic efforts or bring up his April 6 deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face severe retaliation.

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Trump on Tuesday claimed that the Iranian President had asked him for a ceasefire, but said that the US will consider the request only when the Strait of Hormuz opens. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, however, said Trump’s statement about a ceasefire request was false and baseless.


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