Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said on Friday that Tehran would ensure safe passage for India-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, citing “friendly relations” between the two nations.
Asked if Iran would allow India-bound ships safe passage through the strait, Fathali said, “Yes. Because India and I are friends. You can see the future and I think after two or three hours. Because we believe that. We believe that Iran and India are friends. We have common interests, we have a common destiny,” ANI reported.
Fathali further said that Tehran has mandated its embassy in India to facilitate the Indian government and ensure smooth operations amid the ongoing regional conflict, the report said.
The Iranian ambassador’s comments come amid the ongoing conflict between Israel, the US and Iran, which entered its second week last Saturday, March 7.
Iran-US-Israel conflict
Iran launched a wave of retaliatory strikes after the US and Israel launched a joint attack on the Islamic Republic on Saturday, February 28, killing former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and other top leaders. Explosions were reported across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other cities in the Persian Gulf – which are also home to US military bases.
Iran has also attacked ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key sea route through which India gets 85-90% of its LPG imports from West Asian countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. As many as 19 ships were hit by Iran at a key choke point on Thursday, March 12, killing around seven people in the attack, Hindustan Times reported earlier.
On Friday, March 13, India witnessed the fourth consecutive day of LPG shortage, with disruptions reported in major cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Chennai.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz in the spotlight?
The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime link between the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and serves as a key route for about a quarter of the world’s liquefied natural gas exports and by sea from the Gulf countries to global markets.
Described by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) as one of the world’s most important oil hubs, the strait handles about 20 million barrels of oil a day – roughly a fifth of global consumption – and about one fifth of global LNG trade, mainly from Qatar.
Several strategically important islands line the waterway, including Iran’s Hormuz, Qeshm and Larak. It is also home to the disputed islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, which have been under Iranian control since 1971 and offer Tehran a commanding position over passing ships.
