Iran sought to reassure India about the integrity of its interests in the Strait of Hormuz, issuing a message on social media as tensions rose sharply in the Gulf region.
In a post on X, Iran’s official handler in India said: “Our Indian friends are in safe hands, no need to worry.” The Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia published a similar message, stressing that “only Iran and Oman will decide the future of the Strait of Hormuz,” and added: “You are in safe hands, do not worry.”
Read also | Trump News Live Updates: After Trump’s speech, Iran warns of US invasion, says not a single person will be spared
The posts are intended to allay concerns in India and elsewhere about potential disruptions to shipping through the vital waterway.
This move comes against the backdrop of recent statements by Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fatehli, who said that Tehran will ensure the safe passage of Indian ships despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Speaking in New Delhi, Fathali described India as a “trusted partner” and said its ships would not face difficulties in the Strait of Hormuz, a major global transit route through which a large portion of the world’s oil supplies passes.
Read also | Strait of Hormuz: Which countries’ ships are allowed to pass through the Iranian choke point and which are not?
However, the situation on the ground remained complex. While Iranian officials stressed that the strait had not been officially closed, they acknowledged that the ongoing hostilities had created operational challenges for commercial shipping. Abdul Majeed Hakim Elahi, representative of the Iranian Supreme Leader in India, said that ships are currently facing difficulties in passing through the route due to prevailing conditions, although some traffic continues.
The United States confronted the Iranian story, as senior officials accused Tehran of disrupting maritime traffic. In a press conference at the Pentagon, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that Washington is working to maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait, and claimed that Iranian actions are the main factor hindering crossing.
Read also | “Because India is our friend”: Iran’s envoy reviews the “safe passage” in the Strait of Hormuz
Recent reports of attacks on ships have exacerbated these concerns. According to Reuters, several ships have been bombed across the Gulf waters since the conflict began, including incidents involving boats loaded with explosives that targeted fuel tankers.
The risks are particularly high for India, which relies heavily on energy imports that pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite Iran’s repeated reassurances, statements issued by the Iranian leadership indicate a more assertive stance. In his first speech after assuming leadership, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei called for continuing to use the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a means of strategic pressure.
India is among five countries that Iran has classified as “friendly countries” whose ships are allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the others being China, Russia, Iraq and Pakistan.
