Two Indian ships cross Strait of Hormuz as Iran says it allowed passage

"Two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bound for ports in the country's west have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in Iran. They crossed the Strait of Hormuz early morning safely and are en route to India, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said at a news briefing in New Delhi on Saturday."

"Tehran has largely halted traffic through the key sea route that normally carries one-fifth of global oil supplies since the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran late last month. The war has prompted a critical shortage of cooking gas in India, a country with longstanding ties to Iran."

"Iran said it will not permit any supplies for the US or its allies to leave the strait, but India had sought exemptions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he had spoken to Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and discussed the transit of goods and energy from the Gulf."

Iran has largely halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of global oil supplies, following recent US-Israel military action. Two Indian-flagged LPG tankers successfully crossed the strait and are en route to India's western ports. Iran's ambassador to India confirmed that Tehran granted safe passage to some Indian vessels as a rare exception to the blockade. India faces a critical cooking gas shortage affecting 333 million homes with LPG connections. Prime Minister Modi discussed transit exemptions with Iran's president. India invoked emergency powers to maximize LPG production and directed refiners to prioritize domestic supply over industrial sales while urging consumers to avoid panic buying.

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