'Our Indian friends are safe; we will not stop them' — Iran makes a major announcement regarding the Hormuz crisis.

Amidst rising tensions in West Asia, Iran has offered significant relief to India by assuring safe passage for Indian vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. Describing India as a friendly nation, Iran stated that Indian-flagged vessels and the sailors on board remain safe, thereby ensuring the continuity of LPG and oil supplies.

Iran has affirmed that its Indian friends need not harbor any concerns regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway has faced disruptions following attacks by Israel and the United States on February 28. Posting on 'X' (formerly Twitter), the Iranian Embassy in India wrote, "Our Indian friends are in safe hands; there is no cause for concern."

Iran exercises control over the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which approximately 20% of the world's energy supply passes. Since the onset of the conflict, Iran has permitted only a limited number of vessels to transit the strait. However, Iran has stated that it is granting passage to vessels belonging to friendly nations, including India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan.

Status of Indian Vessels

To date, at least eight Indian vessels have successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz. These include two LPG carriers—BW Tyger and BW Elm—carrying a combined cargo of approximately 94,000 tons of LPG.

Currently, 19 vessels bound for India—carrying LPG, crude oil, and LNG—remain stranded within the Strait of Hormuz. During an inter-ministerial briefing on March 30, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, reported that 10 foreign-flagged vessels carrying energy cargo destined for India are currently stranded. This group comprises three LPG carriers, four crude oil tankers, and three LNG carriers.

Among the Indian-flagged vessels, there are three LPG tankers, one LNG carrier, and four crude oil tankers. Additionally, one empty tanker is currently undergoing the process of loading LPG. In total, approximately 500 vessels were stranded within the narrow strait during the course of the conflict.