Two more Indian gas tankers are carefully navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a move that highlights a fragile diplomatic arrangement in one of the world's most tense maritime chokepoints.
This situation began around late February 2026, when conflict erupted between the U.S./Israel and Iran. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas. They didn't issue a formal blockade, but a series of attacks and explicit warnings made it too risky for most commercial ships to pass. Insurance costs skyrocketed, forcing vessels to anchor and wait.
However, Iran is not enforcing a total closure. Instead, it has created a system of selective, managed access. It allows certain ships to pass through a specific corridor that hugs its own coastline. This gives Tehran significant leverage; it can control who gets access and demonstrate its power over the strait. The passage of the Indian tankers, the 'Jag Vasant' and 'Pine Gas', is a direct result of this policy.
So, why are Indian ships taking this risk? The answer is a severe energy crisis at home. First, India has a massive population that depends heavily on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for daily cooking. The Hormuz closure cut off a major supply route, leading to shortages. Second, recognizing this vulnerability, New Delhi engaged in back-channel diplomacy with Tehran to secure safe passage for its tankers. This is the second such successful transit, following two other Indian vessels on March 14.
While these shipments provide some relief, they are a temporary fix, not a solution. The four tankers combined carry enough LPG to cover only about two days of India's national consumption. This barely eases the pressure. Meanwhile, the geopolitical stakes are getting higher. The U.S. has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to 'fully reopen' the strait or face military strikes. This puts the Indian tankers, and any future passages, in an extremely precarious position, caught between Iranian control and an American deadline.
- Glossary -
- Strait of Hormuz: A narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. A significant portion of the world's oil and gas passes through it.
- VLGC (Very Large Gas Carrier): A massive ship designed specifically to transport large quantities of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
- De facto: A state of affairs that is true in fact, but not officially sanctioned or legally recognized. In this case, the strait is closed in practice, even without a formal blockade.