Iran’s security council approves 6 Bangladeshi fuel ships to pass Strait of Hormuz

Development comes following Dhaka's request to allow passing of oil tankers as fuel crisis grips south Asian nation

Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has approved the passing of six Bangladeshi fuel ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid a serious fuel crisis in the South Asian country during the US–Israel war against Iran, the Iranian envoy in Dhaka said on Wednesday.

Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said at a news conference in the capital of Dhaka that there was no problem in the movement of Bangladeshi fuel ships through this route.

The approval came in response to Bangladesh's request that Iran allow oil ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Later, the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka asked the government to provide advance information on its fuel-carrying vessels.

Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that ships from several countries, including China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq and India, had recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, the envoy said that Tehran could not identify the ships because detailed information about them had not reached Iran earlier.

"We asked the Bangladesh government to provide the specifications of the ships thoroughly. We received them last week. Work is underway on this. There is no problem with Bangladeshi shipping. We will provide all-out cooperation in this regard,” he explained.

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Iran's Supreme National Security Council has approved the assistance to these ships, he added.

Since the war situation evolved in the Middle East, the energy crisis has gripped Bangladesh. Long queues have been seen in front of the gas stations, including in Dhaka, and people are waiting for hours for a litre of petrol for their vehicles until Wednesday, with no immediate respite.

“As a brotherly country, Iran is keeping an eye on Bangladesh so that it does not face an energy crisis. In that context, Iran will continue to allow Bangladeshi ships to sail through the Strait of Hormuz,” he assured.

Bangladesh imports some 63% of its energy supplies from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.

Meanwhile, 180 Bangladeshis stranded in the country have already returned to Bangladesh. If more Bangladeshis want to come, Iran will provide all kinds of assistance, he added.

Iran, however, was disappointed with the language of the Bangladesh government officials regarding the US-Israel war on Iran, said the envoy.