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The signing of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States on June 17 has led to the transit of 11 India-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The development marks a partial easing of the nearly three-and-a-half-month chokehold on the crucial waterway amid the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.
The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the vessels include:
Two Indian-flagged vessels have also crossed in the opposite direction toward the Gulf, indicating a gradual resumption of two-way traffic Source: infobae.
As of June 23, 10 Indian-flagged vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf region, with two more recently arriving Source: thehindu. Jaiswal expressed hope that the remaining ships would cross the Strait soon. Separately, the MEA confirmed that 12 Indian nationals died in an explosion at the Ras Laffan gas plant in Qatar on June 21 Source: infobae. Earlier, on June 9, three Indian sailors were killed in a U.S. attack on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman Source: infobae. India, which imports over 80% of its oil, faces an energy crisis; Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption in May .
“Since the signing of the MoU on June 17, eleven India-bound vessels have transited through the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels include three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers, each carrying over 285,000 MT [metric tonnes] crude oil; one foreign-flagged LPG carrier, one foreign-flagged crude oil tanker and six foreign-flagged bulk carriers, carrying fertilizer cargo.”
“Perdimos a 12 de nuestros compatriotas en la tragedia en el yacimiento de gas de Ras Laffan, donde ocurrió una explosión. Varias otras personas también resultaron heridas. No sabemos exactamente cuántos de ellos son ciudadanos indios, pero todas aquellas personas que resultaron heridas se encuentran a salvo.”
The MoU has facilitated the movement of vital energy and fertilizer shipments to India, but a permanent pause in hostilities is needed to normalize maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz Source: thehindu.