Three Indian-flagged oil tankers to clear Strait of Hormuz before Iran closes | Today’s news
Three Indian-flagged oil tankers carrying more than 8.6 million tonnes of cargo with 94 crew members from the country have safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. Three oil tankers, Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald, are expected to arrive in India between June 24 and July 1.
Three oil tankers are heading to India
While Desh Vaibhav is expected to arrive at Vadinar port on June 24, Desh Vibhor is likely to arrive at Sikka port on the same day. The Sanmar Herald, the third Indian-flagged oil tanker that transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, is scheduled to reach Paradip on July 1.
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“Three Indian flagged oil tankers, Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald carrying more than 8.6 Lakh MT of cargo with 94 Indian crew members have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz today and are on their way to India,” Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sonowal said in a post on X on Saturday.
“Under the determined leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, GoI is working on top priority to secure India’s maritime interests. Our ministry is actively coordinating all relevant agencies to ensure absolute safety of Bharat’s seafarers and energy lifelines,” he added.
Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz
The safe transit of three Indian-flagged oil tankers assumes importance as Iran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz. A vital transit route for global oil and gas transport was briefly reopened after the US and Iran agreed to a peace deal to end the war that began on 28 February.
Read also | The reopening of Hormuz brings relief to the global economy
However, just before negotiators from the United States and Iran met in Switzerland on Sunday, Tehran closed the strait over Israeli “crimes” in Lebanon, which the Islamic Republic says violates the ceasefire agreement.
What Iran said
Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, accused the US of failing to implement the first clause of its 14-point interim deal with Iran, which includes a ceasefire “on all fronts”, including Lebanon.
He said that as long as the agreement was only on paper, the flow of Middle Eastern energy would remain halted.
Iran’s IRGC has also warned that ships will be at risk if they approach the strait, a vital pipeline for global oil and gas supplies. The United States lifted its blockade of Iran on Thursday, allowing oil tankers to move through the Strait of Hormuz as a tentative deal to end the war came into force.
The US response
Following Iran’s announcement, US Central Command said that safe passage through the international waterway “remained intact” and that US forces were “present and alert”.
“Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic continues to flow and U.S. forces are monitoring the situation to ensure it remains that way,” said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command.
Read also | Flares are fighting again in Lebanon despite a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah
The navy said 55 merchant ships carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil passed through on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump also warned that Washington could impose its own toll on Hormuz if negotiators fail to finalize a deal.
While Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald left the Strait of Hormuz, at least the Indian-flagged cargo ships were still stuck on the other side.
Key things
- The successful transit of Indian oil tankers demonstrates India’s commitment to protecting its energy supply routes amid geopolitical tensions.
- Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz underscores the continued volatility in the region affecting global oil shipments.
- Coordination between various government agencies is essential to ensure the safety of maritime trade during crises.
