[US-Iran War] India and Turkey Transit Hormuz... US Allies Also Seen Negotiating

Foreign Media Report Ongoing Negotiations Between Iran and Multiple Nations
Pakistani Vessel Successfully Passes the Strait
Some Speculate Separate Talks by Certain European Countries

An Indian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker that passed through the Strait of Hormuz and arrived at the Indian port of Mundra on the 16th (local time). Reuters Yonhap News

As the war sparked by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran entered its third week, it has been observed that countries around the world are engaging in behind-the-scenes negotiations with Iran to secure passage for their vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Al Jazeera, an Arab media outlet, on the 16th (local time), Iran is allowing limited passage through the Strait of Hormuz for certain countries. It was reported that the Pakistani-flagged Aframax-class oil tanker, the Karachi, passed through the strait and exited the Gulf on that day.

India has also been included among the countries granted exceptional passage. The Indian government confirmed that two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) successfully passed through the strait. Mohammad Fathali, the Iranian ambassador to India, also acknowledged that Iran had permitted certain Indian vessels to transit the strait.

Türkiye is another example where vessel passage has been selectively allowed. Out of 15 Turkish-owned ships waiting in waters near Iran, one was granted permission by Iranian authorities to pass through the strait.

China, which is known to have amicable relations with Iran, is also reported to be in negotiations with Tehran, according to both Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) and Qatar’s Al Jazeera. China is reportedly in talks with Iran to secure the safe passage of its crude oil and Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. Approximately 45% of China’s crude oil imports rely on the Strait of Hormuz.

In particular, even France and Italy, both traditional allies of the United States and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), are reportedly engaged in separate negotiations with Iran to ensure the passage of their vessels. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an interview with the Financial Times (FT) published on the 15th, said, "Iran is achieving results in negotiations," while declining to give direct answers regarding specific countries such as France and Italy.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) have refused U.S. President Donald Trump's request to dispatch ships to the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump is planning to form a coalition escort force for the strait in the near future, but the countries that have been publicly asked to participate have not given clear answers. President Trump has explicitly requested participation from a total of seven countries: five named countries (South Korea, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France), as well as two others whose names have not been disclosed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.