Iran Grants Rare Permission For Two Indian LPG Tankers To Transit Strait Of Hormuz: Sources To News18

Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 22:09 IST

While official confirmation from the Indian government is currently awaited, this development signals a potential easing of the energy bottleneck

In what appears to be a significant diplomatic breakthrough amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, sources with direct knowledge of the matter have informed CNN-News18 that the Iranian government has granted permission for two Indian Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) tankers to transit through the contested Strait of Hormuz. While official confirmation from the Indian government is currently awaited, this development signals a potential easing of the energy bottleneck that has gripped the region since the escalation of hostilities in late February.

The permission would come at a critical juncture for India’s domestic energy security. Since the blockade of the Strait—through which nearly 20% of the world’s global oil and gas supplies flow—Indian energy markets have been under immense strain. The decision by Tehran to allow these specific vessels passage would suggest that New Delhi’s policy of “Strategic Autonomy" and its active engagement through the Sherpa channel are yielding practical results.

The two tankers, reportedly carrying critical supplies for India’s state-run oil marketing companies, were part of a larger fleet of vessels stranded outside the Gulf of Oman. If these vessels successfully navigate the two-mile-wide navigable channel, it will be the first instance of a commercial energy shipment successfully traversing the Strait under an explicit “sovereign waiver" since the conflict began.

The timing of this development is vital for the Indian government, which has been managing a surge in “panic bookings" across the country. Over the past week, LPG bookings spiked by nearly 25% above seasonal averages as rumours of a long-term shortage spread. This successful diplomatic intervention is expected to serve as a vital “cooling mechanism" for domestic markets, providing a tangible boost to stocks and reassuring consumers that supply lines remain open.

By granting this passage, Iran appears to be acknowledging India’s unique position as a neutral mediator that has maintained communication with all sides of the conflict. However, maritime analysts remain cautious. While these two ships may have been granted a safe corridor, the broader “minefield dilemma" and the threat of land-based missile batteries continue to make general commercial shipping uninsurable.

The world is now watching to see if this “Indian Exception" becomes a blueprint for other neutral nations to secure energy passages, or if it remains a one-off gesture in an increasingly volatile war of attrition. For now, the focus remains on the safe transit of these vessels as they approach the world’s most dangerous maritime chokepoint.

News world Iran Grants Rare Permission For Two Indian LPG Tankers To Transit Strait Of Hormuz: Sources To News18

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