Gulf crisis: Strait of Hormuz safe passage for ships discussed with Iran, says government | India News
NEW DELHI: The government said on Thursday that External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar discussed safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Syed Araghchi on Tuesday but there was no assurance yet from Tehran that India-bound ships would not be targeted. According to official sources, government officials are engaged in talks with their Iranian counterparts for the safe passage of around 28 Indian ships stuck in the Persian Gulf. India condemned the attack on the cargo ship after an Indian-bound Thai ship was hit by an Iranian missile on Wednesday.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recalled that the ministers had discussed the conflict thrice. Spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said, “The last conversation discussed security of shipping and issues related to India’s energy security. Beyond that, it would be premature to say anything.”The official was responding to a question on whether Iran was allowing Indian ships to pass safely through the strait. In his conversation with Jaishankar, according to an Iranian readout, Aragchi said the “unsafe situation” and problems arising for shipping in the Persian Gulf were “a result of aggressive and destabilizing actions by the United States, and the international community must hold the United States accountable for this situation”. He also called for condemnation of the actions of the US and Israel. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday it would not allow a single liter of oil to be transported through the strait. An IRGC spokesman said, “You cannot reduce oil prices artificially. Expect oil prices at $200 per barrel. Oil prices depend on regional security, and you are the main source of insecurity in the region.” The Indian government said on Wednesday that 28 Indian ships with 778 sailors were stranded in the Persian Gulf. These include 24 ships with 677 sailors in the western part of the Strait of Hormuz, and four ships with 101 people in the eastern side, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said at a media briefing.
