Pakistan secures agreement with Iran for 20 ship passage through Strait of Hormuz

Pakistan Secures Key Shipping Deal with Iran Amid Global Energy Crisis

Islamabad, Pakistan - In a significant development, Iran has agreed to allow 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, according to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The move is seen as a step towards easing the global energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by the war in the region.

As part of the agreement, two ships will cross the strait daily under the arrangement, with Dar describing it as “a harbinger of peace”. The deal was announced on Saturday and was addressed directly to US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi.

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran in February, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The war has resulted in significant disruptions to global trade, with an estimated 2,000 vessels stranded on either side of the narrow waterway. Oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel, up by roughly 40 percent.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has implemented strict controls on shipping, requiring ships to submit cargo details and crew lists before being escorted through Iranian territorial waters. At least two vessels have paid for the privilege, reportedly $2m a crossing, settled in Chinese yuan.

The agreement is seen as a significant breakthrough in Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to end the war. Pakistan shares a 900km border with Iran and has been engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. The move is also being closely watched by global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who referred to the strait as the “Strait of Trump” during a recent speech.

Iran’s parliament is now moving to legalise this arrangement as a possible source of revenue. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also been permitted to cross the strait, and maritime traffic is expected to increase in the coming days.

Source: Al Jazeera