ISTANBUL

Bangladesh-flagged ships carrying oil will get a safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a Bangladeshi media report said Tuesday, as regional tensions in the Middle East threaten global energy supplies.

The development came after a meeting on Monday between Bangladeshi Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, the Iranian ambassador in Dhaka, according to the daily The Business Standard.

During the meeting, the Iranian envoy asked Bangladeshi authorities to provide advance information about its fuel-carrying vessels bound for the strategic waterway, the report said, citing officials.

The arrangement comes as Bangladesh faces mounting pressure on its energy supply chain following disruptions in global fuel markets linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Bangladesh lacks significant strategic oil reserves, relying largely on limited operational storage and immediate imports to meet its energy needs.

Authorities have ordered the closure of educational institutions nationwide as part of emergency steps aimed at conserving fuel and electricity, making Bangladesh one of the first countries to take such measures following the energy shock.

Regional tensions have surged since the US and Israel initiated joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28 that Tehran says killed more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

Iran has also effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since around March 1. The narrow shipping lane normally handles about 20 million barrels of oil shipments daily and roughly 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas trade.

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that any attempt by Iran to disrupt oil shipments through the strait would trigger a response “20 times harder” than previous American military strikes.