Mr. Fathali also stressed that Iran and India share long-standing historical ties, adding, “I believe Iran and India also have common interests.”
Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said on Saturday (March 14, 2026) that Tehran has allowed some ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
However, he did not specify how many vessels had been allowed to pass through.
During an interactive session, Mr. Fathali was asked whether Iran had allowed Indian ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz to pass and for how many days, amid concerns over a looming LPG shortage and following a series of telephonic conversations between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
“Yes, we have allowed, but let me not say how many,” he replied.
Mr. Fathali made most of his remarks in Persian during the session, which were interpreted into English by Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian Embassy in India.
As several India-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Mr. Fathali told reporters on Friday (March 13) that Iran would “try its best” to help resolve the issue.
Earlier in the day, a senior Shipping Ministry official said two Indian vessels — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — carrying LPG from Gulf countries crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday (March 14), raising the number of Indian ships that have safely passed through the conflict-affected narrow shipping lane to three.
The remaining 22 ships on the western side of the strait are currently on standby, as the Indian government continues to engage with regional authorities to ensure their safe passage.
India imports around 60% of its LPG requirements, with nearly 85–90% sourced from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where shipments typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz for oil and gas transit. The key shipping route has effectively remained closed since the first week of March.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as one of the world’s most vital energy transit routes.
During the interactive session, Mr. Fathali also highlighted the longstanding historical ties between Iran and India, adding that the two countries share common interests.
“I also believe that if any rift or gap emerges between the two countries, their adversaries will seek to exploit it. Both sides have the maturity to address political and social issues together and resolve them,” he said.
Mr. Fathali was also asked about the phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday night (March 12), during which the two leaders discussed the “serious situation” in West Asia.
“We are supporting each other now,” Mr. Fathali said, asserting that many Indians also share the pain and suffering experienced by Iranians. He added that efforts should be made to further strengthen ties between India and Iran.
The Iranian envoy, when asked whether Iran had anticipated such an attack, said the country was prepared for both diplomacy and conflict but preferred dialogue. “Iran is ready for negotiations and also for war, but we prefer negotiations,” he said, adding that Tehran had already entered talks with “good intentions.” Mr. Fathali, however, maintained that Iran is prepared for the conflict, warning that “you can start it, but you cannot finish it.”
The conflict in West Asia escalated after the United States and Israel launched a major military strike on Iran on February 28, in which the 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed.
In response, Iran carried out attacks on several Gulf countries hosting American military bases, disrupting global aviation operations, pushing up oil prices, and raising concerns about a potential energy crisis.
Speaking about Khamenei’s death, the envoy described him as a towering figure for Iran. “We have lost a great leader and a great father,” he said, adding that many Iranians and supporters around the world view his death as a martyrdom and are deeply saddened by the loss.
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