Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Iran has agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistani‑flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, with a coordinated schedule permitting two ships to cross the strait each day. Dar announced the development on X, calling Tehran’s decision a “welcome and constructive gesture” that he said signals a calibrated easing of maritime restrictions and could help usher stability in the region through dialogue, diplomacy and confidence‑building measures.
The move follows an incident in which Iran denied passage to the Karachi‑bound container vessel SELEN, flagged to St Kitts & Nevis and carrying food supplies for Pakistan. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy turned the ship back, saying it had failed to comply with mandatory clearance procedures. IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said all vessels must coordinate with Iranian maritime authorities and obtain permission before transiting the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global energy and trade artery, and changes to vessel movement there are closely watched for potential impacts on markets and regional stability. Observers view the new arrangement as part of Pakistan’s wider diplomatic outreach; Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently offered to help facilitate talks between the United States and Iran, an initiative that received a public nod from US President Donald Trump.
