Media365
Three Indian-flagged oil tankers carrying more than 860,000 metric tonnes of crude oil and 94 Indian crew members have safely crossed the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and are now heading towards India, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday.
In a post on X, Sonowal confirmed that the vessels — Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald — had completed their transit through the crucial waterway without incident.
“Our Ministry is actively coordinating with all relevant agencies to guarantee the absolute safety of Bharat’s seafarers and energy lifelines,” Sonowal said.
The successful passage comes after concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies following the conflict between the United States and Iran. Before the three vessels completed their journey, 13 Indian-flagged cargo ships were reportedly stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil shipments through the waterway increased on Friday after Washington and Tehran signed a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the conflict. Gulf producers began preparing to increase exports despite continued uncertainty over conditions linked to shipping through the strategic route.
Hormuz transit resumes, but regional tensions remain
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, with a significant share of global oil and gas shipments passing through it. Any disruption in the waterway can have a major impact on international energy markets.
The US and Iran released details of an interim agreement signed on Wednesday to halt hostilities, although US
President Donald Trump warned that military action could resume if commitments under the deal were not fulfilled.
While the agreement has eased immediate concerns over energy flows, regional tensions remain unresolved, particularly along the Israel-Lebanon border.
The US-Iran agreement does not include Israel or Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, both of which have remained engaged in hostilities.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Hezbollah responded with rocket and drone attacks against northern Israel, while Israeli forces seized areas of southern Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep Israeli troops in southern Lebanon until threats against Israel are eliminated. Hezbollah, meanwhile, has said it will not halt attacks unless Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory.
Fresh fighting has continued near the border, with Israeli strikes killing civilians in several Lebanese villages.
In Barish, a strike killed four members of a family, including two children, while attacks in Arab Salim, Doueir, Kfar Rumman, Qannarit, Sohmor and Shehour also resulted in casualties.
Residents in the coastal city of Tyre said low-flying Israeli aircraft served as a reminder that the conflict was not over despite hopes for a ceasefire.
The developments have left the region balancing renewed diplomatic efforts with continued security risks, while India and other energy-importing countries closely monitor stability around the Strait of Hormuz.
With inputs from agencies
