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Iran Allows 20 More Pakistani Ships To Pass Through Strait Of Hormuz

Published

3 weeks ago

March 29, 2026

Iran has agreed to permit 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, in a move described by Islamabad as a significant step toward easing a deepening global energy crisis triggered by ongoing conflict in the region.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, announced the development on Saturday, stating that two vessels would be allowed to pass daily under the arrangement.

He described Iran’s decision as “a harbinger of peace” and a “welcome and constructive gesture” that could help stabilise an increasingly volatile region.

Dar directed his remarks to key international figures, including US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, underscoring Islamabad’s broader diplomatic push to de-escalate the conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, has been largely shut since coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and ignited a war that has reportedly left about 2,000 people dead in Iran and more than 1,100 in Lebanon. The disruption has sent shockwaves through global energy markets.

In a recent column, former Qatari minister Mohammed Al-Hashemi underscored the strategic importance of the waterway, writing: “The Strait of Hormuz is not an oil chokepoint. It is the aortic valve of globalised production – and like any valve, when it fails, the entire circulatory system collapses.”

With an estimated 2,000 vessels stranded, oil prices have surged beyond $100 per barrel, marking a roughly 40 per cent increase.

Maritime traffic through the strait has plunged by about 90 per cent, with only around 150 vessels managing to pass since the conflict began — equivalent to a single day’s normal traffic.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has effectively transformed the strait into a controlled checkpoint, requiring ships to submit cargo details, crew lists and destinations for approval before receiving clearance codes and escorted passage through Iranian waters.

Reports indicate that at least two vessels have paid up to $2 million per crossing, reportedly settled in Chinese yuan, as Tehran considers formalising the arrangement through legislation.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, confirmed that Malaysian vessels had also been allowed safe passage, thanking Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, for the concession.

Meanwhile, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, warned that global commerce is facing its “worst disruptions in the past 80 years.”

The latest development follows a week of intense diplomatic activity by Pakistan, including talks between Army Chief Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump, as well as engagements with Iranian and Turkish officials. Islamabad has also offered to host peace talks.

“If the parties desire, Islamabad is always willing to host talks,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi.

Iran has continued to press for formal international recognition of its authority over the strait as part of conditions to end the war, while its parliament moves to institutionalise toll collection.

The United States has temporarily eased strikes on Iranian power plants for five days, a window set to close on Saturday, while Israel has indicated that its military operations will continue.

Related Topics:Iran Pakistani Ships Strait Of Hormuz

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Oil Prices Drop After Iran Reopens Strait Of Hormuz

Published

4 days ago

April 17, 2026

Editor

Global oil prices dropped sharply on Friday after Iran signalled that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to commercial shipping during a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East.

Benchmark crude prices fell by more than 10 per cent, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slipping below $85 per barrel, while Brent crude declined to about $89 per barrel.

The decline follows comments by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, who said commercial vessels would be allowed to transit the strait for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire involving Israel and Lebanon.

The truce, which began on Thursday, is reported to include the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

Oil prices had surged above $100 per barrel in recent weeks amid heightened tensions in the region, with WTI reaching nearly $113 per barrel earlier this month and Brent climbing above $119 in late March.

Analysts say the reopening of the key shipping route has eased supply concerns in global energy markets.

Brian Therien, a senior investment strategist at Edward Jones, noted that oil futures are now trending lower, with projections suggesting prices could fall to the low $70 range by the end of the year. He added that a sustained drop in prices could help reduce inflationary pressures globally.

The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, accounting for roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Shipping through the passage had been disrupted during the conflict due to security concerns, including threats of attacks and the presence of naval mines.

An Iranian official told Reuters that vessels moving through the strait during the ceasefire would be required to use designated safe lanes approved by Iranian authorities, while military ships would not be permitted to pass.

Despite the announcement, some shipping firms remain cautious. German carrier Hapag-Lloyd said it is still reviewing the situation before resuming operations in the area.

Meanwhile, Knut Arild Hareide of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association welcomed the development but warned that uncertainties remain, particularly regarding maritime safety, operational guidelines, and the potential risks posed by unexploded sea mines.

Headline

You Can’t Go To US With Good Feelings Since Trump Returned To Power – Sports Legend

Published

5 days ago

April 17, 2026

Editor

Germany legend, Oliver Kahn, has insisted that one cannot go to the United States with ‘good feelings’ since President Donald Trump returned to the Presidency.

Kahn stated this while speaking to Sky Sport Germany about the upcoming World Cup, which is to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada.

According to the former Bayern Munich goalkeeper, there are so many things happening in the US at the moment that are no longer compatible with ‘values’.

“There are simply so many things happening in the USA right now that are no longer compatible with our understanding of values,” Kahn said.

“One example was the war, but I don’t want to list everything Donald Trump has been doing there since he returned to the presidency.

“You can’t go there with a good feeling at the moment.”

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Trump Bows To Pressure, Deletes Post Depicting Self As Jesus

Published

1 week ago

April 13, 2026

Editor

United States President, Donald Trump, has deleted a social media post that appeared to portray him as Jesus, following backlash and rising tensions with Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.

The image, shared on Truth Social late Sunday, showed Trump as a Christ-like figure healing the sick, surrounded by American flags and eagles.

The post came shortly after the president criticised the pope for opposing the war with Iran.

By Monday morning, the image had been removed from his account. A previous link to the post now leads to a notice stating the “content is no longer available.”

Speaking later at the White House, Trump denied the interpretation of the image and said he believed it depicted him differently.

“I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor, and had to do with the Red Cross,” he told reporters at the White House.

He dismissed claims that the image portrayed him as Jesus, blaming the media for the narrative.

“Only the fake news” could come up with the idea that it depicted him as Jesus.

“I just heard about it, and I said, ‘How did they come up with that?’ It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better. And I do make people better,” he said.

The development comes amid an ongoing public disagreement between Trump and Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.

The pope said Monday he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and would continue to speak out, despite criticism from the president, who described his stance as “terrible for foreign policy.”

Leo, the first American pope, has intensified his criticism of the war in recent days, condemning Trump’s remarks about the Iranian people as “truly unacceptable.”

(CNN)