Iran sets terms in Strait of Hormuz, signals conditional passage for ‘non-hostile’ ships

Iran has indicated that “non-hostile” commercial vessels may continue to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under certain conditions, as maritime traffic cautiously resumes in one of the world’s most critical oil shipping corridors.

In a post on X, Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said vessels not participating in or supporting hostile actions against Tehran, and complying with declared safety regulations, “may… benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities.”

The statement appears to formalise an emerging practice in recent days, in which shipping companies and countries have quietly coordinated with Iran to secure safe transit through the narrow waterway.

Ships from countries including China, India and Pakistan have successfully crossed since the start of the month, according to shipping data.

Amid heightened tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on US bases in the Gulf and Israel, maritime traffic through the narrow channel had slowed to near halt.

Some vessels have altered their routes, moving away from the standard shipping lanes closer to Oman and instead sailing further north, near Iran’s Larak Island, allowing Iranian authorities to more closely monitor traffic.

Since the strait is narrow, only the entry and exit lanes are demarcated which need to be followed by shipping lines.

However, India maintained that such coordination does not amount to seeking permission.

“Sailing through the Strait of Hormuz does not require permission from any country,” Rajesh Kumar Singh, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said at a media briefing.

He rejected suggestions that Indian vessels, including those carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), had to reach any understanding with Iran for transit.

The strait is covered by international navigation conventions, he said.

"There is freedom for navigation through the strait.”

"The decision to sail (through the strait) is taken between the shipping company and the one which has chartered the ship... it is the decision of the charterer and shipping company when to sail or when not to sail," he said. "Since these are special circumstances, they assess the situation with regard to safety, etc., before deciding. No permission is required."

Meanwhile, two Indian-flagged LPG carriers — Pine Gas and Jag Vasant — have successfully crossed the strait and are expected to reach Indian ports by March 26–27.

The vessels are carrying a combined 92,612 tonnes of LPG — roughly equivalent to about a day’s cooking gas requirement in India — with Jag Vasant headed to Kandla and Pine Gas to New Mangalore.

Both ships passed through waters between Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands, according to ship-tracking data, a route that may help signal vessel identity to Iranian authorities amid heightened surveillance.

They were among 22 Indian-flagged vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf after hostilities in West Asia disrupted shipping movement through the strait.

Earlier, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, carrying about 92,712 tonnes of LPG, had reached Indian shores safely.