Reports claim India-flagged tankers allowed to pass through Strait of Hormuz; Iran denies

This comes a day after a Thai vessel bound for Kandla port was attacked in the Strait, prompting strong ⁠criticism from ‌New Delhi.

Multiple reports on Thursday claimed that Iran has agreed to allow India-flagged tankers pass through Strait of Hormuz, through which 40% of India's crude imports pass.

However, Reuters citing an Iranian source said that the country has denied any such agreement had ‌been reached.

An official confirmation on this is awaited.

This comes a day after a Thai vessel bound for Kandla port in India was attacked in the Strait, prompting strong ⁠criticism from ‌New Delhi.

“India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks ‌in the ongoing conflict in West Asia,” the foreign ministry said ⁠late on Wednesday.

“Precious lives, including those of Indian citizens, have already been lost in multiple ‌such attacks in an earlier phase of ‌the conflict, and the intensity and lethality of ‌the attacks appear to be increasing.”

Iran has attacked at ‌least 16 ships in the passage since Israel and the United States began their war on the country in late February. Tehran ⁠has warned ⁠that oil prices could surge to $200 a barrel, nearly double current levels.

Strait of Homruz is a key artery for global oil trade.