The Iranian government has issued a direct assurance to India regarding the safety and transit of its maritime assets through the Strait of Hormuz. Following a period of significant regional volatility, the Embassy of Iran in India took to social media to state that their "Indian friends" remain in safe hands and need not harbour concerns over the ongoing naval restrictions.

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital artery for global commerce, facilitating the movement of approximately 20 per cent of the world's energy supply. Control of this narrow passage remains with Iran, which has strictly regulated traffic since the outbreak of hostilities with Israel and the United States on 28 February.


While most international shipping has been halted, Tehran has clarified that a selection of "friendly nations," including India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan, are being granted passage.

Despite these diplomatic assurances, the practical impact on energy security has been considerable. The blockade has triggered widespread disruptions, leaving a significant number of vessels carrying essential fuel supplies stranded within the volatile corridor. Current estimates suggest that roughly 500 ships were caught in the initial gridlock caused by the conflict, creating a complex logistical challenge for regional authorities.

Reports indicate that at least eight Indian vessels have successfully navigated out of the strait recently. Among these were two prominent LPG carriers, the BW TYR and the BW ELM, which were transporting a collective cargo of 94,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas. Their successful exit provides a glimmer of hope for the restoration of supply lines, though many other tankers remain stationary.

According to data provided by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, 19 ships destined for India are still waiting for clearance to move. These vessels are carrying a mixture of LPG, crude oil, and LNG.

The backlog includes ten foreign-flagged ships and nine Indian-flagged tankers, some of which are currently in the process of being loaded amidst the surrounding naval tensions.

The situation remains a focal point for Indian policymakers, who conducted an inter-ministerial briefing on 30 March to assess the fallout from the Middle Eastern developments. While the diplomatic rhetoric from Tehran is supportive, the physical presence of nearly twenty stranded energy vessels underscores the fragility of India’s current fuel supply chain in the face of geopolitical conflict.

NDTV