Iran Permits Friendly Nations to Use Strait of Hormuz Amid Energy Concerns

Iran Opens Strait of Hormuz for Select Nations

Tehran/New Delhi, March 26: With rising fears of a potential LPG and petrol shortage due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has granted permission to India and several other 'friendly nations', including China and Russia, to utilize this crucial waterway for commercial shipping.

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, "We have allowed certain countries that we consider friendly to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. This includes China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan," as reported by Iranian state media.

However, he emphasized that vessels associated with Iran's adversaries will be prohibited from passing through this strategic route.

"We are currently in a state of war. The region is a conflict zone, and there is no justification for allowing ships from our enemies and their allies to navigate through. Nonetheless, it remains accessible to others," he stated.

Concerns have escalated globally regarding interruptions in commercial shipping via the Strait of Hormuz, with US President Donald Trump cautioning Iran of severe repercussions if it does not fully reopen the waterway.

Following Iran's near-total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital shipping lane connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and accounts for approximately 20% of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) traffic, global oil and gas prices have surged.

In recent weeks, India has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict in West Asia promptly and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz.

New Delhi is concerned that a prolonged blockade of this shipping lane could have serious implications for fuel and fertilizer security for many nations, including India, as West Asia is a key source of energy supplies for the country.