Iran has reportedly agreed to allow oil tankers flying the Indian flag to pass through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic discussions between New Delhi and Tehran, easing immediate concerns over India’s energy supplies amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
Sources said the understanding was reached after talks between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier this week
The decision is significant for India, which depends heavily on crude imports that travel through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption in this narrow shipping corridor can quickly affect global oil prices and the country’s energy security.
The move comes at a time when geopolitical tensions in West Asia have intensified, raising fears of disruptions to shipping routes and global energy markets. Attacks on vessels and the threat of further escalation had earlier triggered concerns that traffic through the strait could be restricted.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. It links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, providing the primary route for oil shipments from major Gulf producers to global markets.
Shipping activity through the route had slowed after tensions escalated following US–Israel strikes on Iran, sparking fears of supply disruptions.
Around 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz each day, making it central to global energy flows. According to data cited by Reuters, more than 20 million barrels of crude oil, condensate and fuel moved through the waterway daily on average last year.
For India, continued access to the Strait of Hormuz is crucial, as a large share of its crude imports from Gulf producers passes through the route before reaching Indian refineries.
