Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, says Iran has agreed to permit 20 additional Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz under a coordinated schedule that will allow two ships to cross each day. Dar posted the announcement on X, calling Tehran’s decision a welcome and constructive gesture and saying it represents a calibrated easing of maritime restrictions that could help promote regional stability through dialogue, diplomacy and confidence-building measures. The move follows an incident in which Iran turned back the Karachi-bound container vessel SELEN, flagged to St Kitts and Nevis and carrying food supplies for Pakistan, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said the ship failed to comply with mandatory clearance procedures. IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri reiterated that all vessels must coordinate with Iranian maritime authorities and obtain permission before transiting the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy and trade corridor, so changes to vessel movement there are closely watched for potential market and regional stability impacts. Observers say the new arrangement fits within Pakistan’s broader 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.
