Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Iran Assures Oil Route Access to India and Allies, Rejects Ceasefire Talks
Iran has stated that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz will remain open for ships belonging to friendly nations such as India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan, even as tensions continue to escalate in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that vessels owned by these countries and carrying oil or energy supplies will be permitted to pass through the vital maritime route.
According to him, Iran has already issued the necessary permissions to ensure that trade and energy transportation for these nations remain uninterrupted.
The Iranian Consulate in Mumbai shared the information on the social media platform X on Thursday, reiterating Iran’s position that ships belonging to countries considered hostile may not be granted similar access through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, with a significant portion of global energy supplies passing through it.
For India in particular, nearly 20 percent of its oil and gas imports pass through this narrow sea passage.
Although Iran does not formally control the strait, its geographical proximity gives it considerable influence over maritime movement in the region.
Shipping activity in the area has reportedly been impacted following the escalation of hostilities after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.
The conflict has raised global concerns over energy security and disruptions in crude oil supply chains.
Foreign Minister Araghchi emphasized that Iran would continue to respond strongly to what it described as aggression from the US and Israel.
He made it clear that Tehran has not agreed to any peace negotiations and dismissed reports suggesting the possibility of a ceasefire.
According to Araghchi, while the United States has attempted diplomatic outreach, Iran does not consider these efforts reliable.
He stated that Iran remains firm in its position and will continue the conflict without stepping back unless credible assurances are provided.
The statement comes shortly after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for the smooth passage of ships carrying crude oil and other energy resources, given the route’s global importance.
Iran has previously indicated that vessels belonging to countries it does not consider hostile may continue to use the strait in coordination with Iranian authorities.
However, the country insists that any future negotiations would require strong guarantees from the US.
Araghchi also claimed that Iran has conducted more than 80 precision strikes during the ongoing conflict, stating that the attacks had caused significant damage to its adversaries.
He added that Iran would continue such military actions as part of its strategy to deter further aggression.
Reaffirming Iran’s stance, the foreign minister said the country would not accept one-sided demands in any potential peace process, warning that an imbalanced agreement could lead to renewed conflict in the future.
Iran has also indicated that compensation for damages caused during the conflict remains one of its demands.
The developments have intensified global attention on the Strait of Hormuz, as any disruption in this key shipping route could significantly affect international oil markets and energy prices.
