India among 5 nations allowed through Hormuz: Iran

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Tehran/New Delhi, March 26 

Iran has said it is allowing India and four other countries to continue commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, even as restrictions remain in place for what Tehran described as its adversaries and their allies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said India, China, Russia, Iraq and Pakistan had been granted permission to transit through the strategic waterway, according to Iranian state television. The statement comes amid growing global concern over disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that carries around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Araghchi said the strait remained closed to vessels linked to countries viewed by Iran as hostile. “We are in a state of war,” he said, according to Iranian state media, adding that the region had become a conflict zone and there was “no reason” to allow the ships of Iran’s enemies and their allies to pass.

The partial opening is significant for India, which depends heavily on West Asia for energy supplies. Any prolonged disruption in the strait is seen in New Delhi as a serious threat to fuel and fertiliser security.

India has in recent weeks stepped up diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict in West Asia and ensuring the uninterrupted movement of energy shipments through the route.

Global oil and gas prices have risen sharply since Iran effectively blocked access to the narrow shipping lane, which is considered one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

The development also comes as US President Donald Trump has warned Tehran of severe consequences if it does not fully reopen the waterway to international shipping.