US, Iran to conclude peace talks remotely today? What we know so far — Hormuz reopening on agenda, nuclear issues not
Three Indian crude oil tankers have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, carrying over 8.6 lakh tonnes of oil to India. The tankers crossed bfore Iran's recent closure of the strait, raising concerns about maritime safety in the region.The Hormuz crisis highlights growing frictions in the global economy.Three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers carrying over 8.6 lakh million tonnes of cargo with 94 crew members from the country have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, Union Minister for Shipping, Sarbananda Sonowal, has said. The three crude oil tankers, Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor, and Sanmar Herald, are expected to arrive in India between June 24 and July 1.Three oil tankers enroute to IndiaWhile Desh Vaibhav is expected to reach Vadinar Port on June 24, Desh Vibhor is likely to arrive at Sikka Port the same day. Sanmar Herald, the third Indian-flagged oil tanker to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, is scheduled to reach Paradip on July 1."3 Indian-flagged crude oil tankers, Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald carrying over 8.6 Lakh MT of cargo with 94 Indian crew members have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz today and are en route to India," Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sonowal said in a post on X on Saturday."Under the decisive leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, GoI is working on highest priority to secure India's maritime interests. Our Ministry is actively coordinating with all relevant agencies to guarantee the absolute safety of Bharat's seafarers and energy lifelines," he added.Iran closes Strait of HormuzThe safe transit of the three India-flagged oil carriers attains significance as Iran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz. The vital transit route for global oil and natural gas shipping was briefly opened after the US and Iran agreed on a peace deal to end the war that began on February 28.However, just before the meeting between negotiators from the United States and Iran was in Switzerland on Sunday, Tehran closed the Strait over Israeli "crimes" in Lebanon, which, according to the Islamic Republic, violates the ceasefire deal.What Iran saidMohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, accused the US of failing to implement the first clause of its 14-point interim deal with Iran, which includes a ceasefire "on all fronts", including Lebanon.He said that, as long as the agreement was only on paper, the flow of Middle East energy would remain halted.Iran’s IRGC also warned ships would be at risk if they approached the Strait, a vital conduit for global oil and gas supplies. The United States on Thursday lifted its blockade of Iran, allowing oil tankers to move through the Strait of Hormuz as a tentative agreement to end the war took effect.US responseUS Central Command said after Iran's announcement that safe passage through the international waterway had "remained intact" and that US forces were "present and vigilant.""Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic continues to flow, and US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the case," said Capt Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command.The military said that 55 merchant ships transited Saturday with more than 17 million barrels of oil.US President Donald Trump also warned that Washington could impose its own tolls on Hormuz if negotiators failed to complete the deal.While Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor, and Sanmar Herald have exited the Strait of Hormuz, at least Indian flagged cargo ships are still stranded on the other side.Key TakeawaysThe successful transit of the Indian oil tankers demonstrates India's commitment to safeguarding its energy supply routes amidst geopolitical tensions.The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran underscores the ongoing volatility in the region affecting global oil shipping.Coordination between various governmental agencies is crucial for ensuring the safety of maritime commerce amid crises.Get Latest real-ti
