Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, hinted on Friday that Indian ships could soon be allowed safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid Middle East tensions. He said India is a friendly country to Iran and the two countries have shared interests in the region. The ambassador also said that the Indian government has helped Iran in many areas in the post-war period.
A day earlier, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, stated that Tehran has allowed ships from some countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He also clarified that allegations of Iran laying mines in the Strait are baseless, even though the passage was closed during the war. He warned that countries engaging in aggressive actions against Iran will not benefit from this passage.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, carrying approximately 20 percent of global oil and gas exports. India’s Ministry of Ports and Waterways reported that 28 Indian-flagged vessels are currently in the Persian Gulf.
Of these, 24 ships are west of the Strait of Hormuz carrying 677 Indian sailors, while four ships are east of it carrying 101 sailors. The safety of all ships and sailors is being monitored, and the safety advisory issued on February 28, 2026, remains in effect.