India Plans Oil Tanker Passage Through Hormuz Strait Amid Iran Conflict

India is preparing to send oil tankers through the Hormuz Strait to load energy cargo from the Middle East, marking the first such move since the outbreak of conflict in Iran. According to Odaily, informed sources indicate that the plan is finalized and awaits final government approval. Details regarding the timing and volume of shipments have not been disclosed. Once approved by the Indian Navy and upon receiving orders from refiners, the state-owned Shipping Corporation of India will resume operations in the Persian Gulf. Since the conflict began in late February, shipping through the Hormuz Strait has nearly come to a halt. The strait is crucial, handling about one-fifth of the world's oil flow, and its disruption has severely impacted importing countries like India. It remains unclear whether Iran or the United States, who have imposed blockades, have granted India passage, which is essential for the plan's execution. Last week, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during the BRICS summit in New Delhi. Sources suggest that India aims to continue importing energy from its traditional Middle Eastern suppliers, as alternative sources would take longer and incur higher costs.