- Two merchant vessels carrying petroleum products are en route to India via the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran has claimed control but allowed passage to countries like India despite rising tensions.
- Indian authorities and Navy remain on alert, ensuring safety of ships and smooth port operati
Two more merchant vessels are crossing the Strait of Hormuz carrying petroleum products for India on Saturday, as reported by ANI. The Middle Eastern conflict has disturbed the Strait of Hormuz after Iran's "full control" claim on the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman following the intense combined attack from the US-Israel.
Indian Navy warships are deployed near the country's ports for assistance, as more vessels are expected to enter the territory from the Strait in the coming days, the news agency said.
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Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to "friendly nations" such as China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan, as the route is a crucial transit point for 20% of global energy.
While addressing a joint inter-ministerial media brief, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, clarified the stand of the government on the sanction of the vessels containing essential commodities, stating that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining coordination with various stakeholders, as per ANI.
Sinha said on Friday, "In the Gulf region, there has been no information in the last 24 hours regarding any incident involving Indian-flagged ships or Indian seafarers. All are safe."
Indian ships operating in the Persian Gulf are also safe, added Sinha while clarifying, "In the Persian Gulf, there are 20 ships sailing under the Indian flag, with around 540 Indians onboard, and they are also safe."
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All the businesses in the ports are going smoothly, he added, "There is no information about congestion at any port. We have confirmed this with the ports. Operations at all ports are running smoothly."
Since the war began, limited shipment movement through the Strait of Hormuz has been permitted by Iran to halt the transport of enemy vessels, leading to ships stranded on the water.
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