Iran states principles for passage as two Indian LPG vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz
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New developments emerge in the Hormuz Strait blockade crisis—Iran formally clarifies the transit principles; ships from some Asian countries are being selectively allowed passage, but the overall blockade pattern has not eased.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on March 22, stating that the Hormuz Strait is not closed. Ships belonging to the US, Israel, and other countries involved in aggression will be denied passage, but ships of other non-hostile countries, after coordinating with the relevant Iranian authorities and adhering to safety regulations, may pass through safely. Iranian Foreign Minister Aragchi also stressed through social media on the same day: “It is better to show respect than to make threats. Without free trade, there can be no freedom of navigation.” This statement directly responds to Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum given on the 21st—Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s “various power plants” should Iran not open the strait.
According to ship tracking data, the Indian ultra-large liquefied petroleum gas vessels Jag Vasant and Pine Gas crossed the Hormuz Strait on Monday, sailing closely along the Iranian coastline, passing near Qeshm and Larak Islands. Both ships did not display a destination, only broadcast their Indian shipowner identity and are expected to sail to India. Earlier this month, two Indian LPG ships had already completed the same crossing.
The Strait of Hormuz carries about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flow. Since the US-Israeli military strikes against Iran at the end of February, it has effectively been nearly closed. Currently, only a few vessels permitted by Tehran are able to pass; hundreds of merchant ships remain stranded in Gulf waters, waiting.
Iran Sets Red Lines for Passage, Non-Hostile States May Negotiate Transit
Iran’s Foreign Ministry statement on the 22nd is the most systematic expression of transit rules so far.
The statement clearly distinguished two types of ships: firstly, ships belonging to the US, Israel and “other countries involved in aggression,” deemed unsuitable for normal passage and will be “handled legally”; secondly, ships belonging to other countries and not involved or cooperating in hostile actions against Iran, may safely transit after coordination with Iran.
The statement also emphasized that full restoration of sustainable security and stability in the Strait of Hormuz requires cessation of military aggression and threats against Iran, and Iran’s legitimate interests must be fully respected.
Aragchi’s statement in effect directly links passage rights to geopolitical positions, allowing Iran to retain primary authority for ship-by-ship review, instead of offering comprehensive reopening of the strait.
Indian LPG Ships Take the Lead, Passage Arrangements May Continue
According to Bloomberg, Jag Vasant is chartered by India’s state oil and gas company BPCL, Pine Gas by Indian Oil Corporation IOC. On Monday, both ships sailed north along Iranian coastal waters; tracking signals show they have completed their transit. According to Reuters, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal stated Prime Minister Modi is communicating with other world leaders regarding safe passage for ships, and India “supports” the safe and smooth transit for its 22 ships stranded in the Gulf.
According to Reuters, citing sources, Iran had allowed two Indian LPG carriers to transit the strait last week, and with this new successful passage, the channel arrangement between India and Iran is continuing. Bloomberg previously reported that the Iranian navy guided an Indian oil tanker.
Though LPG ship transit is loosening, crude oil trade remains nearly stagnant. Reuters cites Kpler data: no crude carriers passed through the Hormuz Strait in the last 24 hours.
Japan Seeks Diplomatic Mediation, Iran Sends Selective Signals
Parallel to India’s proactive transit arrangements, Japan is also seeking breakthroughs at the diplomatic level.
According to CCTV News, Aragchi said in a phone interview last Friday that after discussions with the Japanese side, Iran intends to allow ships associated with Japan to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Kyodo News reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi previously spoke with Aragchi, expressing concern over large numbers of Japanese-related ships stranded in the Persian Gulf, and requested Iran “take appropriate measures to ensure the safe passage of all ships, including those from Japan and other Asian countries.”
This diplomatic exchange occurred one day after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s summit with Trump, who said that energy-import-dependent countries like Japan participating in protecting strait shipping “would be a good thing,” adding external pressure from Washington on Japan.
Ghost Ships Emerge, Strait Disorder Reflects Transit Dilemmas
With regular merchant ships struggling to transit, suspected “ghost ship” shipping anomalies are increasing.
Bloomberg reported that a vessel named Nabiin appeared in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, but records show this Aframax tanker, built in 2002, was sent to a Bangladeshi scrapyard five years ago. Earlier, a ship claiming to be the LNG vessel Jamal crossed the strait last Friday, but Jamal’s records reveal its scrapping last year in an Indian shipyard.
Analysis suggests such ghost ships are using identities of scrapped compliant vessels, reflecting the dilemmas shipowners face in risking illegal passage under the practical closure of the strait. Some ships have shut off geolocation signals to avoid tracking; there are also severe electronic interference phenomena near the Hormuz Strait, making monitoring of shipping conditions more complex.
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