Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, March 26: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday announced that Tehran has permitted the passage of vessels belonging to “friendly countries,” including India, through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement posted on social media, the Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai quoted Araghchi as saying, “We permitted passage through the Strait of Hormuz for friendly nations including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan.”
The development comes amid heightened global concerns over the prolonged closure of the Strait, a key maritime chokepoint for international oil, gas, and fertilizer shipments.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for resuming safe navigation through the waterway, warning that the ongoing disruption is severely affecting global supply chains at a crucial stage in the agricultural cycle.
“The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking the movement of oil, gas, and fertilizer at a critical moment in the global planting season,” Guterres said in a post on X. He stressed that civilians across the region are facing “serious harm and profound insecurity,” urging all parties to de-escalate.
Calling for an immediate end to the conflict in West Asia, the UN chief appealed directly to the US and Israel, saying, “It’s high time to end the war — as human suffering deepens, civilian casualties mount, and the global economic impact becomes increasingly devastating.” He also urged Iran to cease attacking neighbouring states that are not involved in the conflict.
On March 25, Iran’s mission in New York had indicated a partial easing of restrictions, announcing that “non-hostile vessels” would be allowed safe passage through the Strait, provided they adhere to safety regulations and do not support any acts of aggression against Iran.
The Iranian Defence Council has since clarified that transit through the strategic maritime corridor will now require prior coordination with Iranian authorities, reinforcing Tehran’s tightened security protocols in the region.
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