Amid Middle East Tensions, Iran Signals Safe Route for Indian Tankers Through Hormuz

New Delhi: Important news has emerged for India amid increasing military tension in West Asia. According to Indian officials, Indian-flagged oil tankers have been allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the same sea route through which India fulfills its major energy needs.

However, a different stance has been seen from Iran's side on this claim. Tehran officials have said that no separate agreement has been made for any specific country and it would not be appropriate to comment further on this sensitive matter.

Did the first oil tanker reach India from Hormuz during the war?

According to Reuters report, on Thursday a ship carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia reached Mumbai via the Strait of Hormuz. The ship was a Liberian flag and is believed to be the first oil tanker to reach India via this route since the Iran-related conflict began. Apart from this, two more foreign flagged ships have recently passed through this sea route and they too are likely to reach India soon.

Was the path made after the talks between Jaishankar and the Iranian foreign minister?

According to sources, India's Foreign Minister S. There was a phone conversation between Jaishankar and Iran's Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi. It is being said that after this conversation, Iran gave assurance of safe passage for Indian-flagged ships. However, no such special permission was clearly mentioned in the official statements issued by both the countries.

How did Iran react to India's claim?

Iran's Foreign Ministry has said that the responsibility for the insecurity situation that has arisen in the Persian Gulf and surrounding maritime areas lies with America's actions. Tehran says no country has been given special exemptions and the rules for passage through the sea route are the same for all ships.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important for India?

India imports a large part of its energy needs from abroad. According to statistics, the country buys about 86 percent of its crude oil and about 60 percent of its gas requirement from outside. A large quantity of these comes from West Asia and its main route is the Strait of Hormuz. If this route remains affected for a long time, then energy crisis may arise not only for India but also for many countries of the world.

Is India trying to source oil through alternative routes?

The risk on this sea route has increased due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. For this reason, India is trying to source oil and gas from other routes also. According to government sources, currently about 70 percent of the oil is being brought to India through non-Hormuz routes, so that there is no major disruption in the energy supply.

Meanwhile, the government says that the safety of Indian ships and sailors is the biggest priority and constant contact is being maintained with the countries concerned on this issue.