New Delhi

The representative of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Saturday said Indian vessels would be allowed to pass through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

In an interview with ANI, Ilahi responded affirmatively when asked whether Indian ships would be allowed transit through the strait. “Of course, yes,” he said, adding that Iran’s embassy had tried to facilitate passage for some Indian vessels.

The latest round of conflict in West Asia began on February 28 and has seen fighting involving Iran on one side and Israel and the United States on the other.

According to reports cited by ANI, tensions escalated after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, following which Iran retaliated by targeting Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel. The escalation disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies.

Ilahi said the special concession allowing Indian ships to pass reflected what he described as solidarity shown by people in India with Iran during the conflict.

“I can say the majority of Indian people are with Iran. They condemned the oppression and do not want war,” he said.

He also claimed that the Iranian leadership had been informed about expressions of sympathy from people in India and said Tehran remained mindful of India’s energy requirements.

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Earlier in the day, two Indian-flagged vessels carrying liquefied petroleum gas were granted transit through the strait by Iranian authorities. One of them, the Shivalik, was last reported near the Gulf of Oman and is expected to reach its destination by March 21, according to vessel-tracking data.