Iran lets 2 Indian tankers pass through Hormuz; Thai-flagged vessel attacked

New Delhi: Iran has allowed India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after talks at the foreign-minister level, with the aim of keeping the sea route open in the critical Strait of Hormuz for transportation of crude oil and natural gas.

Indian tankers Pushpak and Parimal were passing safely through the Hormuz though ships from the US, Europe, and Israel continue to face restrictions, people said.

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Safe navigation of tankers via the Hormuz topped the agenda when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi late Tuesday to discuss the latest developments in West Asia in what was their third conversation since the Iran war.

On Wednesday, Jaishankar spoke with his Russian counterpart amid increase in Moscow's oil supplies to New Delhi. "A good telecon with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Shared our assessments on the West Asia conflict and related efforts. Also took stock of our bilateral cooperation agenda. @mfa_russia," Jaishankar wrote on X.

Jaishankar also spoke to his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on the evolving situation in West Asia. "Appreciate the exchange of assessments today with FM @jnbarrot of France on the West Asia conflict. Look forward to continuing it in person," Jaishankar wrote on X. Jaishankar also spoke with a senior EU official. "Useful discussion with EU HRVP @kajakallas on the West Asia conflict and its repercussions," he wrote on X.

Thai vessel attacked

On Wednesday, a Thai-flagged cargo vessel was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz shortly after departing the UAE, the Royal Thai Navy said. The vessel, Mayuree Naree, had left UAE's Khalifa Port and was headed to Kandla port in Gujarat when it came under attack while transiting the Hormuz.

The Omani navy rescued 20 sailors from the Thai vessel and "efforts are currently underway to rescue the remaining three crew members," according to a Royal Thai Navy statement.

India deplored the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. "Precious lives, including of Indian citizens, have already been lost in multiple such attacks in the earlier phase of this conflict and the intensity and lethality of the attacks only seems to be increasing," according to a MEA statement. "India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided."