Iranian envoy signals safe passage for Indian ships through Strait of Hormuz

Tehran’s ambassador to New Delhi has confirmed access to the key oil chokepoint for Indian ships, citing longstanding ties

Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, has indicated that Indian vessels can expect safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Responding to a question from an RT India correspondent, the envoy highlighted that Tehran sees New Delhi as a friend and that there are converging interests between the two countries.

Asked directly whether India would receive safe passage through the strait, he replied: “Yes, because India is our friend. You will see it within two or three hours.”

Fathali emphasized that Iran and India share key interests in the region, describing New Delhi as an important partner for Tehran.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, handling a substantial share of global oil and gas shipments.

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The disruption to traffic through the narrow waterway since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran has already had immediate implications for energy markets globally, including for India, which relies heavily on crude supplies passing through the region.

Earlier this week, the first India-bound oil tanker sailing under a Liberian flag cleared the Strait of Hormuz and berthed at Mumbai.

The Iranian envoy’s remarks also come hours after top officials of the two countries held telephone talks. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday, expressing concern over the “escalation of tensions, the loss of civilian lives, and the damage to civilian infrastructure.”

In a separate conversation, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. During the conversation, Tehran outlined its position after US‑Israeli strikes and called for support from BRICS nations, while India emphasized cooperation and regional stability.