Despite Blockade Pledge, Iran Allows Exceptions: Indian Ships Follow China Through Strait of Hormuz

According to Financial News, Iran, which effectively moved to blockade the Strait of Hormuz after airstrikes by the United States and Israel, is taking an exceptional approach by allowing Indian vessels to pass, following earlier permission for Chinese ships.
On the 14th, Yonhap News Agency reported that the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier Shivalik from the Republic of India (India) recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz under escort from the Indian Navy. Another Indian LPG carrier, the Nanda Devi, is also expected to transit the strait soon.
In an interview with Russian state outlet RT, Iranian Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali stated, "Iran will allow Indian vessels to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "Iran and India are friendly nations and share common interests."
This move is known to be an exceptional measure in which Iran agreed to allow passage at the request of the Indian government. Both ships are owned by a state-run shipping company in which the Indian government holds a stake. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly held a phone call on the 12th (local time) to discuss energy and cargo transport issues, after which passage for the Indian vessels through the strait was approved.
Iran had previously indicated that it could allow ships from certain countries to pass through the strait. In an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP), Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said, "Some countries have already been in talks with us over passage through the strait, and we are cooperating with them," adding, "We believe that countries involved in the aggression should not enjoy the benefit of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz."
Market observers say Iran is exercising maritime control not by completely shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, but by selectively allowing ships from specific countries to pass depending on diplomatic relations. In fact, after reports that China had been negotiating with Iran over the passage of crude oil tankers bound for China, India has now also secured permission for its vessels to transit the strait.
India is reportedly facing a shortage of LPG supplies due to the recent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. India consumed about 33.15 million tons of cooking LPG last year, roughly 60% of which was imported. Around 90% of those imports came from the Middle East.
Accordingly, the Indian government is said to be in talks with Iranian authorities to secure permission for an additional eight oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

dschoi@fnnews.com Reporter Choi Doo-seon Reporter