11 India-Bound Ships Cross Hormuz Strait as Delhi Welcomes US-Iran Peace Deal

11 India-Bound Ships Cross Hormuz Strait as Delhi Welcomes US-Iran Peace Deal

SRINAGAR: India on Tuesday welcomed the United States-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at ending months of conflict in West Asia, as the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz began easing disruptions to global energy supplies and maritime trade, reports appearing in media said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said 11 India-bound vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz since the signing of the peace agreement on June 17, providing relief to India’s energy and fertiliser supply chains that had been severely impacted by the prolonged crisis.

Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 10 Indian-flagged vessels remain in the Persian Gulf region while two more have recently entered the area.

“Since the signing of the MoU on June 17, 11 India-bound vessels have transited through the Strait of Hormuz,” Jaiswal said.

The vessels include three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers carrying more than 285,000 metric tonnes of crude oil each, one foreign-flagged LPG carrier, one foreign-flagged crude oil tanker and six foreign-flagged bulk carriers transporting fertilisers destined for India.

“We hope that the remaining India-flagged vessels would also be able to cross the Hormuz soon,” he added.

The breakthrough comes after US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a landmark agreement that provides for an immediate cessation of hostilities, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and withdrawal of US restrictions on Iranian petroleum exports.

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The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass, had effectively been closed during the conflict, triggering a sharp rise in global energy prices and disrupting shipping movements across the Gulf.

For India, which imports the bulk of its crude oil requirements, the closure created concerns over fuel supplies, fertiliser imports and broader inflationary pressures.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval described the reopening of the waterway as a major positive development for global energy markets while addressing a meeting of BRICS national security officials in New Delhi.

“India welcomes the MoU reached between the US and Iran. We have got cautious optimism, and we hope that it will work. It will help energy security,” Doval said.

“The opening of the Strait of Hormuz is a very welcome development. It will remove supply chain bottlenecks and shortages in sectors like fertilisers and chemicals,” he added.

Doval warned that the world was passing through a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and argued that emerging powers grouped under the BRICS framework had an important role in addressing global security and economic challenges.

Despite the easing of tensions, shipping markets remain under strain. Industry estimates indicate that roughly 100 oil tankers are still waiting inside the Gulf region with cargoes onboard after months of disruption.

According to shipping industry assessments, tanker availability remains tight as Gulf producers increase exports. Charter rates for vessels operating in the region have surged dramatically, with daily earnings for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) reaching record highs as traders and refiners scramble to secure transport capacity.

The reopening has also encouraged major Middle Eastern producers, including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, to accelerate crude sales through multiple export tenders. Asian refiners, however, have begun slowing fresh purchases after aggressively buying Gulf crude in recent weeks, with international trading houses stepping in to absorb surplus cargoes.

In a parallel move aimed at restoring confidence in maritime trade, the Sultanate of Oman announced the creation of a temporary maritime corridor through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the International Maritime Organization. The corridor is intended to facilitate safe passage for commercial shipping while maintaining freedom of navigation through the waterway.

The economic consequences of the closure have been enormous. Industry estimates suggest more than 1,200 cargo ships carrying goods worth approximately $125 billion were stranded during the disruption, exposing the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical crises at critical maritime chokepoints.

Shipping activity has begun to recover following the ceasefire. Industry data show vessel movements through the strait increasing steadily, although traffic remains significantly below pre-conflict levels.

Responding to questions about the lifting of US sanctions on Iranian oil exports, Jaiswal said India would continue to follow a pragmatic approach to energy procurement.

“As far as our energy sourcing is concerned, our policy is guided by national interest,” he said.

“Our priority is to ensure that 1.4 billion people have access to energy at affordable prices and from diverse sources. This has consistently been our policy.”

The developments could potentially reopen a significant source of crude oil for India, which had sharply reduced imports from Iran following earlier US sanctions. Analysts say any sustained restoration of Iranian exports and uninterrupted passage through the Strait of Hormuz could help stabilise international oil prices and reduce shipping costs in the months ahead.

While energy markets have responded positively to the peace agreement, Indian officials indicated they would continue closely monitoring the situation in West Asia as diplomatic efforts move from ceasefire implementation toward a permanent settlement.