Gulf crisis: Strait of Hormuz safe passage for ships discussed with Iran, says government

NEW DELHI: The govt said on Thursday that external affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar had discussed safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Araghchi on Tuesday but did not confirm if there’s any assurance yet from Tehran that India-bound vessels would not be targeted. According to official sources, govt officials remain engaged with their Iranian counterparts to negotiate safe passage for around 28 Indian ships that are stuck in the Persian Gulf. India had on Wednesday deplored attacks on cargo ships after an India-bound Thai ship was hit by an Iranian projectile.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recalled that the ministers had spoken thrice about the conflict. “The last conversation discussed issues pertaining to safety of shipping and India’s energy security.

Beyond that, it would be premature to say anything,” said spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.The official was responding to a question about whether Iran was allowing Indian ships to safely sail through the Strait. In his talks with Jaishankar, according to an Iranian readout, Araghchi had said that the “insecure situation” and problems arising for shipping in the Persian Gulf are a result of “the aggressive and destabilising actions of the United States, and the international community must hold the US accountable for this situation”. He also called for condemnation of the US and Israeli actions. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday it would not allow even a litre of oil to be transported through the Strait. “You will not be able to artificially lower the price of oil. Expect oil at $200 per barrel. The price of oil depends on regional security, and you are the main source of insecurity in the region,” said a spokesperson for IRGC. The Indian govt had said on Wednesday that 28 Indian vessels with 778 seafarers onboard were stuck in the Persian Gulf. Of these, 24 vessels with 677 seafarers are on the western part of the Strait of Hormuz, while four vessels with 101 persons are on the eastern side, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways had said in a media briefing.