Amid U.S. tensions, Iran Grants Rare Passage for Indian LPG Tankers Through Hormuz
Iran has allowed two Indian LPG carriers to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a rare exception after the strait has been effectively blocked amid broader tensions involving the United States and Israel. The two ships, the Sibalik and the Nanda Devi, are LPG carriers reportedly owned by an Indian state-owned shipping company in which the government has a stake, and they reportedly passed through with Indian naval escort.
The passage followed a phone call on the 12th between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, during which they discussed the transport of goods and energy shipments. The development marks a notable diplomatic and logistical twist as Tehran seeks to facilitate cargo movement despite regional friction.
India has faced LPG supply challenges since the Hormuz situation escalated. Cooking LPG is widely used across Indian households, and businesses such as franchises and hotels have reported difficulty obtaining cooking gas, raising concerns about operations and prices.
Last year, India consumed about 33.15 million tons of LPG for cooking. Imported LPG accounted for roughly 60% of total demand, with about 90% of those imports originating in the Middle East. The dependence underlines how regional security and trade disruptions can directly affect Indian households and industries.
Iranian Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali told Russia’s RT channel that Iran would ensure Indian ships can pass safely through Hormuz, calling India a friend and saying the two countries share common interests and destiny. He indicated Iran expects cooperation with India after regional turmoil subsides.
Indian media outlet CNN-News18 cited sources saying India is in talks with Iranian authorities to allow eight additional tankers to transit the strait. If confirmed, this would broaden routes for energy and related shipments critical to India’s ongoing import needs.
Separately, Iranian authorities announced the deployment of a charter aircraft to transport the bodies of sailors from the warship Dena, which sank after an attack by a U.S. submarine near Sri Lanka. Iranian reports put the death toll at 87, with 32 survivors; 32 other crew members were reported as rescued and the rest missing. The aircraft reportedly flew from Sri Lanka to Kochi, Kerala, with additional Iranian sailors and tourists on board, while the crews of other ships, including the Rabban and Busheh, remained in Sri Lanka. This incident underscores the broader toll of regional hostilities and the transport of personnel and remains amid overlapping security challenges.
For U.S. readers, the episode matters beyond Korea because Hormuz is a key global energy chokepoint. Any movement or blockage in the Strait of Hormuz can influence energy and LPG prices, with spillover effects on Indian consumers, Asian markets, and global supply chains that rely on Middle East energy and related shipments. The diplomacy around transit rights also reflects broader U.S.-Iran tensions and the steady flow of energy to South Asia, making regional security and alliance dynamics relevant to American policymakers and markets.