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By Micah McCartney
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Iran is reportedly granting a limited number of ships “safe” passage through its territorial waters as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted.
The U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, now in its third week, has sharply disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy markets. While Iran’s conventional military capabilities have been significantly degraded, it retains the ability to threaten or control access to the narrow waterway, through which roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil passes each day.
Iran has barred vessels linked to Israel, the United States and their allies, leaving large numbers of ships delayed or stranded near the strait amid the risk of missile and drone attacks.
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Newsweek reached out to the Iranian Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment.
The Islamic Republic has vetted at least nine commercial vessels for transit, according to Lloyd’s List, citing “well-placed sources” familiar with the arrangements. All nine are said to have exited the strait via a corridor running through Iranian territorial waters near Larak Island, where Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and port authorities reportedly conduct visual verification of vessels.
Iran is also said to be in talks with several governments—including those of China, India, Pakistan, Iraq and Malaysia—over the scheme, with an early registration system for ships seeking approval reportedly set up by the IRGC.
At least one tanker is believed to have secured passage in exchange for payment, reportedly around $2 million, with permissions negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
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Two Indian-flagged gas tankers, Nanda Devi and Shivalik, left the strait and entered the Gulf of Oman around March 13, according to ship-tracking data reviewed by Newsweek. Their automatic identification system (AIS) signals were switched off as they approached the waterway but resumed transmission near Iran’s coast, suggesting they may have transited via the Larak Island route.
The report said a more formalized process could emerge, likely involving advance disclosure of vessel ownership and destination through intermediaries linked to Iran.
“There are efforts underway involving government and industry to establish a procedure under which there will be communication for vessels that are definitely not affiliated with Israel or the US to receive confirmation of safe passage through the Straits of Hormuz,” Dimitris Maniatis, chief executive of a shipping security consultancy, told Lloyd’s List.
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