Iran closes strait to US, another Indian oil tanker transits Strait of Hormuz

NEW DELHI: Another Indian crude oil tanker transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, even as tensions around the waterway remained high. Maritime traffic data show that the “Desh Garima” passed through the Strait, becoming the 10th Indian ship to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war between Iran and the United States, and the second Indian ship since the ceasefire.Information shows that the tanker departed from Ras Laffan Port in Qatar, passed through the Strait of Hormuz, and is currently located in the Gulf of Oman. Meanwhile, AFP reported that at least eight oil and gas tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.The development comes amid confusion about the status of the strait. Iran said on Saturday it had closed the Strait of Hormuz to traffic, hours after Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the route was open. A spokesman for Iran’s Qatum Ambiya central headquarters said traffic had returned to strict military control. The spokesman cited repeated U.S. violations and “piracy under the guise of blockade.”Shipping activities in the region have been affected since the conflict began. The Strait of Hormuz handles a large portion of global oil shipments, and such disruptions increase risks for shipping companies, including rising costs, delays and safety threats to ships and crews.Amid these concerns, the government on Saturday approved the Bharat Marine Insurance Pool with a sovereign guarantee fund of Rs 12,980 crore. The scheme is designed to deal with rising insurance premiums and more stringent transport insurance approvals, with approvals currently being given on a case-by-case basis due to the ongoing conflict.