Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 21: Three Indian-flagged crude oil supertankers carrying 94 Indian crew members safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and are now sailing towards India, hours before Iran announced that it was shutting the strategic waterway again.
The three vessels — Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald — successfully completed their transit through the strait, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed.
The tankers are carrying more than 860,000 tonnes of crude oil collectively, with each vessel transporting around 285,000 tonnes. They are expected to reach India between June 24 and July 1.
Desh Vaibhav is scheduled to arrive at Vadinar port and Desh Vibhor at Sikka port in Gujarat on June 24, while Sanmar Herald, which was the last of the three to cross the strait, is expected to reach Paradip in Odisha on July 1.
“Our ministry is actively coordinating with all relevant agencies to ensure the complete safety of Bharat’s seafarers and energy lifelines,” Sonowal said, adding that maritime security remains a top priority for the government.
According to the latest update from the ministry, 10 Indian vessels are still present in the Persian Gulf, on the western side of the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessels crossed the strait shortly before Iran’s joint military command announced its decision to close the passage, citing continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and accusing the United States of failing to honour its commitments.
The closure came after the strait had reopened earlier this week following an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran, under which Iran agreed to reduce its highly enriched uranium stockpile in return for relief from US sanctions and permission to sell oil.
The United States had lifted its naval blockade of Iran on Thursday, ending months of restrictions that had severely affected shipping movement through the region. However, Iran maintained that vessels could pass through the strait only with its approval.
In a statement broadcast on state television, Iran’s military warned that if the “aggression” continued, further measures would follow.
The announcement came as Iran’s negotiating team, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and officials from the central bank and oil sector, travelled to Switzerland for talks.
Pakistan, which has been mediating between the sides, said technical discussions would begin on Sunday in Bürgenstock with participation from Qatari mediators.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagahei indicated that progress would depend on the US fulfilling its commitments under the agreement.
He said the talks were aimed at ensuring the other side honoured its obligations and warned that failure to do so could put the entire memorandum of understanding at risk.