India says Iran assures safe Hormuz passage for its tankers; Tehran source disputes claim
New Delhi, Iran will allow Indian-flagged oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz, an Indian government source said on Thursday, although an Iranian source outside the country denied that any such agreement had been reached.
The assurance was conveyed after recent conversations between S. Jaishankar, India’s foreign minister, and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, according to the Indian source, who declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak publicly.
India, the world’s third-largest oil consumer, depends on the Strait of Hormuz for roughly 40% of its crude imports, making the security of shipping routes a key concern amid regional tensions.
India’s foreign ministry confirmed that the two foreign ministers had held three conversations in recent days. The most recent discussion focused on maritime safety and the protection of India’s energy supply lines.
“Beyond that, it would be premature for me to say anything,” foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a weekly press briefing.
In a statement following the talks, Iran’s foreign ministry said the United States should be held responsible for the “insecure situation and problems arising for shipping in the Persian Gulf,” but neither side publicly mentioned any agreement on safe passage for Indian vessels.
On Thursday the Suezmax tanker Shenlong, carrying Saudi crude oil, arrived at a port in Mumbai after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data from the London Stock Exchange Group.
The Liberia-flagged vessel was the first crude tanker to reach India from the Middle East since fighting involving Iran, the United States and Israel erupted in late February. The cargo was purchased by state-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.
The Indian source added that two other foreign-flagged tankers believed to be carrying oil bound for India had also recently crossed the strait.
India said on Wednesday that 28 Indian-flagged vessels were operating west and east of the Strait of Hormuz, carrying a total of 778 Indian sailors.
Authorities, shipping companies and recruitment agencies are coordinating with Indian embassies and local authorities to ensure the safety of seafarers, the petroleum ministry said.
India has also given safe harbour to 183 Iranian sailors after a vessel docked in the country following the outbreak of the conflict. New Delhi had allowed three Iranian ships returning from a naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal to dock; one of the vessels was later sunk by a U.S. submarine in international waters, while another sought assistance from Sri Lanka.
