Indian tanker 'Jag Vasant', owned by Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd, after clearing the Strait of Hormuz, is seen anchored at the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) discharge terminal, in Mumbai, Wednesday, April 1. PTI
Strait of Hormuz blockade: ‘Indian friends’ need not worry, says Iran
At least eight Indian ships have exited the strait. However, the Union government said 18 Indian-flagged vessels are still stuck in the western Persian Gulf region
Iran on Thursday (April 2) reassured that “Indian friends” need not worry about the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas transport, that has been disrupted since the US and Israel attacked Tehran.
The war has entered 34 days on Thursday and Iranian attacks on some two dozen commercial ships, and the threat of more, have halted nearly all traffic in the waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
8 Indian ships exit strait
However, Iran has allowed ships from “friendly nations” including India, China, Russia, Pakistan and Iraq to pass the strait.
Also read: Over 6 lakh citizens have returned to India amid West Asia conflict: MEA
Now, the Iranian Embassy in India, in a post on its X (formerly Twitter) account, said, “Our Indian friends are in safe hands, no worries.”
At least eight Indian ships have exited the strait. However, the Union government said 18 Indian-flagged vessels are still stuck in the western Persian Gulf region.
“Measures have been put in place to ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and LPG across the country, in view of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas said in a statement on Tuesday (March 31).
Also read: US-Iran ceasefire talks linked to Strait of Hormuz reopening: Report
“18 Indian-flagged vessels with 485 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region; DG Shipping, in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian Missions, is actively monitoring the situation,” it added.
Trump’s ‘take it’ message to nations
On Wednesday, in his address to the nation, US President Donald Trump insisted the strait, which was open to traffic before the US and Israel launched their war on Iran, can be taken by force — but said it is not up to the US to do that.
He encouraged countries that depend on oil passing through Hormuz to “build some delayed courage” and go “take it”.
More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran during the war, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel. More than two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank, while 13 US service members have been killed.
More than 1,200 people have been killed and more than 1 million displaced in Lebanon, home to Iran-backed Hezbollah militants who are fighting Israel, which has launched a ground invasion. Ten Israeli soldiers have also died there.
(With agency inputs)