India secures Hormuz passage for oil tankers after Jaishankar–Iran talks

India secured safe passage for its oil tankers through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz after external affairs minister S Jaishankar held talks with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday, sources told India Today.

The discussions focused on ensuring that India’s energy supplies remain uninterrupted as tensions rise in West Asia.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying a large share of global crude oil and natural gas shipments.

With the regional conflict raising fears of disruption to shipping, New Delhi moved quickly to protect the flow of its energy imports.

ALSO READ: LPG shortage linked to Iran war threatens restaurant operations across India

Sources said the objective of the diplomatic engagement was to keep the sea route open for Indian vessels so that shipments of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LPG) can continue without major disruption.

India depends heavily on imported energy, making stability in Gulf shipping lanes critical for its energy security.

Iranian authorities have reportedly allowed Indian tankers to continue using the route, while vessels linked to the US, Europe and Israel are facing restrictions in the waterway.

Jaishankar also held consultations with other international counterparts on the issue. He spoke with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov and France’s Jean-Nol Barrot to discuss the evolving situation and efforts to maintain stability in the region’s key shipping lanes.

Earlier this month, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been effectively closed to shipping and warned that vessels attempting to pass through the waterway could be targeted, according to Iranian state media.

The announcement marked a major escalation in the confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the US. Tensions surged after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in a joint US-Israeli strike.

The conflict and instability around the Strait of Hormuz have also triggered a shortage of commercial LPG in India, affecting the hospitality sector.

Restaurants in Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai have warned of possible closures as supplies of commercial LPG cylinders remain disrupted. Industry groups say deliveries have been halted since Sunday.

Nearly 20 per cent of hotels and restaurants in Mumbai have reportedly shut down, while the Chennai Hotels Association has urged Narendra Modi to ensure urgent LPG supplies.

On March 7, domestic LPG prices were raised across India, with the price of a 14.2-kg household cylinder increasing by Rs 60, while commercial LPG cylinders rose by about Rs 115.