Iran’s Security Council has approved the safe passage of six fuel-carrying vessels from Bangladesh through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflict in West Asia. The move comes after Dhaka requested Tehran’s assistance to ensure the delivery of vital energy supplies, as Bangladesh faces dwindling petroleum reserves.
The shipments include five liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from Qatar and one crude oil shipment from Saudi Arabia, carrying nearly 500,000 tonnes of LNG and around 79,000 tonnes of crude oil. The vessels have been awaiting clearance to transit the strait, a critical maritime route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean.
“Iran does not want Bangladeshis to face any hardships and will provide all necessary assistance for transporting fuel through Hormuz,” Iranian Ambassador to Dhaka Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said at a press conference. He also expressed disappointment over Bangladesh’s response to recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran, noting that Dhaka had not formally condemned the aggression.
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The ambassador criticized the Trump administration for allegedly following Israeli influence in escalating tensions in the region, while noting that the previous US administration had avoided what he described as an “Israeli trap” that could have further destabilized the Gulf.
Bangladesh’s Energy Division confirmed that the country currently holds less than a month’s supply of fuel. Officials are awaiting formal communication from Iran but regard the developments as positive for the nation’s energy security. The six vessels were identified and shared with Iran after the Bangladeshi authorities provided detailed information last week.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key chokepoint for global energy shipments, and recent strikes by Iran in response to attacks by the US and Israel have disrupted maritime traffic, affecting hundreds of container, dry bulk, and liquid cargo vessels. The safe passage of Bangladesh-bound fuel shipments is expected to alleviate immediate shortages while highlighting the strategic importance of the waterway for energy-dependent nations.
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