Iran allows 20 Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through Strait of Hormuz

Iran has approved the passage of 20 vessels flying the flag of Pakistan through the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar announced.

“I am pleased to share a great news that the Government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross the Strait daily,” Dar wrote on X, per Caliber.Az.

The Pakistani minister added that the move signals prospects for peace and stability in the region and is expected to strengthen "collective efforts" in that direction.

The current disruption in the Strait of Hormuz began in late February 2026 following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. In response, Iran moved to restrict maritime traffic through the narrow waterway, a critical global chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply normally passes.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned vessels against transit and carried out attacks on commercial shipping, including the use of drones, missiles, and naval mines. These actions, combined with rising insurance costs and security risks, led to a near-total collapse in shipping traffic, with many vessels avoiding the route altogether.

Tehran later signalled that “non-hostile” vessels could pass under certain conditions. Only a limited number of ships are periodically allowed to pass through designated routes.

The disruption has had far-reaching global consequences. Beyond oil and gas, it has severely affected supplies of key commodities such as fertilisers, ammonia, and liquefied natural gas, as a significant share of these exports normally transits the strait.

By Khagan Isayev