Ahmad Adil
14 March 2026•Update: 15 March 2026
NEW DELHI
Amid the ongoing Middle East tensions, some Indian vessels have been permitted to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s ambassador to New Delhi said on Saturday.
"Yes, we have allowed some ships to pass through Hormuz, but we can't tell how many at this moment... Iran and India have historical relations and common interests," Mohammad Fathali remarked during a speech at India Today Conclave in New Delhi.
In a news briefing, Indian officials also announced that two Indian-flagged LPG carriers – Shivalik and Nanda Devi – carrying a combined total of 92,712 metric tons of LPG, successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday morning.
“There are currently 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers in the Persian Gulf region,” said Rajesh Kumar Sinha, a senior official from India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
Iran's decision to allow the Indian vessels passage came a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday.
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since March 1, following the launch of joint attacks by Israel and the US against Iran on Feb. 28, which have so far killed more than 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hostilities have since escalated.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.
