India among five nations granted passage through Strait of Hormuz by Iran Global oil and gas prices have risen sharply following Iran’s near-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that accounts for about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced that India, along with China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan, has been permitted to transit through the waterway for commercial purposes. The Iranian leader emphasized that ships associated with Iran’s adversaries would not be allowed to pass through the strategic chokepoint. “We are in a state of war. The region is a war zone, and there is no reason to allow the ships of our enemies and their allies to pass through. But it remains open to others,” Araghchi stated, according to Iranian state television. The decision to grant access to select nations has sparked concerns about the stability of global energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of geopolitical tensions, with disruptions in its traffic threatening to disrupt fuel and fertilizer supplies for countries reliant on imports. India, which sources a significant portion of its energy from the Middle East, has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in the region and ensure uninterrupted energy flows. The Iranian Foreign Minister’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, with the U.S. under President Donald Trump adjusting its strategy regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has warned Iran of severe consequences if it does not fully reopen the waterway, raising questions about the potential for further escalation.#iran #india #china #strait_of_hormuz #iranian_foreign_minister
