Iran has officially rejected claims that it granted Indian-flagged oil tankers special permission to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The reports, which had circulated widely in Indian media, suggested that Indian vessels were allowed safe transit amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
According to Iranian sources, no formal agreement has been made. They emphasized that navigation through the strait remains uncertain. Tehran stressed that any reports of cleared passage for Indian ships are inaccurate.
Some Indian officials had indicated that at least two tankers were able to cross the strait after talks between India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Iran’s Abbas Araghchi. However, neither the Indian Ministry of External Affairs nor the Iranian embassy in New Delhi has issued an official confirmation.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global energy. About 20 million barrels of oil pass through it each day, roughly 20 percent of the world’s petroleum trade. A similar share of global liquefied natural gas also moves through the strait. For India, the strait is a vital energy lifeline, carrying nearly 40 percent of the country’s crude oil imports. Any disruption to traffic threatens the country’s energy security.
Since February 28, navigation through the strait has been heavily disrupted. The disruption followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which escalated regional tensions. Iranian sources have confirmed that naval mines have been laid in parts of the strait, blocking safe passage for most vessels.
A senior Iranian security official told Al Mayadeen that no ships have crossed the strait under US military protection. He accused the United States of spreading misinformation to influence global energy markets. He warned that the strait could either remain secure for all parties or face prolonged instability, depending on developments in the conflict.
Iranian military authorities also stated that oil exports to “hostile parties and their partners” will not be allowed under wartime security regulations until further notice. They stressed that Iran is ready to defend its waters and escalate defensive measures if necessary.
