Iran Assures India Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz But No Formal Deal Yet, Three Indian Seafarers Killed in Attacks

Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, has offered reassurance that ships linked to India could receive safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz despite rising tensions in West Asia.

Speaking to reporters, the Iranian envoy suggested that “changes would be seen in two-three hours,” indicating that vessels carrying Indian oil or Indian nationals could pass through the narrow maritime route safely.

The statement comes amid escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has raised global concerns about energy supplies and maritime security.

India’s Heavy Dependence on the Strait of Hormuz

India relies heavily on oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with nearly 40 percent of its crude oil imports moving through the critical waterway.

However, the logistics behind transporting this oil are more complex. Energy experts point out that Indian oil companies do not directly operate most tankers carrying the crude through the strait.

Instead, companies such as Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited often outsource transportation to foreign tanker operators.

The main reason is the extremely high insurance cost associated with vessels operating in the geopolitically sensitive region. Outsourcing allows Indian companies to avoid the financial burden of maintaining a fleet of oil tankers and managing expensive insurance coverage.

Complications With Ship Flags and Identification

While India could theoretically attach its national flag to foreign-operated tankers, maritime regulations make the process complicated.

Naval rules require a minimum number of Indian crew members on a ship before it can legally sail under the Indian flag. Other regulatory requirements must also be fulfilled before the flag can be assigned.

Without such identification, Iranian naval authorities would have no direct way to determine whether a particular tanker is carrying oil meant for India.

Indian Seafarers Face Growing Risk

The conflict also raises serious concerns for Indian sailors working on global shipping routes.

India is among the top three countries supplying seafarers to the global maritime industry. Government figures show the number of Indian sailors has grown from about 1.25 lakh a decade ago to more than three lakh today.

Indians now account for roughly 10–12 percent of the world’s seafarers.

Many of them work aboard oil tankers, container ships, LPG carriers and bulk cargo vessels operated by foreign companies, placing them at risk during maritime conflicts.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that three Indian seafarers were killed and four others injured in maritime attacks near the strait as hostilities escalated. Naval experts believe the actual number of affected sailors could be higher.

First Oil Tanker Reaches India Since War Began

Despite the ongoing tensions, there are signs of limited coordination between India and Iran.

According to shipping data from London Stock Exchange Group, the Suezmax tanker Shenlong, carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia, arrived at the port of Mumbai after passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel, sailing under a Liberia flag, became the first crude carrier to reach India from the Middle East since hostilities broke out in late February.

The cargo was reportedly intended for state-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.

Diplomatic Talks Continue Between India and Iran

Despite the Iranian envoy’s optimistic remarks, officials say there is still no formal agreement guaranteeing a secure maritime corridor for ships carrying Indian oil.

Sources in India’s Ministry of External Affairs indicated that diplomatic discussions with Iran are ongoing to establish such an arrangement.

However, the situation is complicated by geopolitical considerations. Iran has reportedly asked India to support a joint statement from the BRICS group condemning the military actions of the United States and Israel.

India currently holds the rotating chairmanship of BRICS, but no joint statement has been issued so far — a development that has reportedly caused dissatisfaction in Tehran.

As the conflict continues to unfold, India faces the challenge of balancing energy security, diplomatic relations and the safety of its seafarers in one of the world’s most volatile maritime regions.