Gulf crisis: Administration says it discussed safe passage of ships in Strait of Hormuz with Iran

NEW DELHI: The Indian government said on Thursday that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the issue of safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz when he spoke to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Araghchi on Tuesday, but did not confirm whether Tehran had guaranteed that ships heading to India would not be targeted. According to official sources, government officials are still in contact with their Iranian counterparts to negotiate for the safe passage of around 28 Indian ships stuck in the Persian Gulf.

India condemned the attack on a Thai cargo ship bound for India after it was hit by an Iranian shell on Wednesday.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recalled that ministers had spoken on three occasions on the conflict. “The last conversation discussed issues related to shipping security and India’s energy security. Beyond that, it is too early to say anything,” spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said.The official was responding to a question on whether Iran would allow Indian ships to pass safely through the strait. According to Iranian media reports, Araghchi said in his meeting with Jaishankar that the “insecurity” and shipping problems in the Persian Gulf are “the result of the United States’ aggressive and destabilizing actions, and the international community must hold the United States responsible for this situation.” He also called for condemnation of the actions of the United States and Israel. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday it would not allow even a single liter of oil to be transported through the strait. A spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said: “You cannot artificially lower oil prices. The oil price is expected to be US$200 per barrel. Oil prices depend on regional security, and you are the main source of insecurity in the region.” The Indian government said on Wednesday that 28 Indian ships were stuck in the Persian Gulf with 778 seafarers on board. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, told a media briefing that 24 vessels carrying 677 seafarers were located in the western side of the Strait of Hormuz, while four vessels carrying 101 people were located on the eastern side.