March 26, 2026 (Agency): Amid heightened global concern over the security of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has permitted India and four other countries to transit the strait, amidst rising concerns over potential LPG and petrol supply disruptions linked to conflict in the region.
“We have permitted certain countries that we consider friendly to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. We allowed China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan to transit,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, according to state-run television. He added that vessels linked to countries viewed as adversaries would not be allowed passage.
India, which relies heavily on energy imports from West Asia, has stepped up diplomatic engagement in recent weeks, calling for de-escalation and the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies through the strait. Officials in New Delhi have earlier expressed concern that any prolonged disruption could have significant implications for fuel availability and fertiliser supply, both of which are closely tied to imports routed through the region.
The statement comes amid heightened global concern over the security of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that accounts for nearly 20% of global oil and LNG trade. Prices of oil and gas have already shown an upward trend following reports of disruptions in the region.
