ISLAMABAD (MNN); Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced late Saturday that Iran has agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistan-flagged ships to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement shared on social media, Dar said two ships would be permitted to transit the waterway daily. He described the move as a “constructive gesture” and a positive step towards regional peace and stability.
He emphasized that such confidence-building measures, along with dialogue and diplomacy, are essential for reducing tensions. Dar also highlighted that the decision would contribute to broader efforts aimed at restoring calm in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global energy corridor, handling nearly 20 percent of liquefied natural gas shipments and around a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil. Disruptions in the route amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran have triggered a global fuel crunch.
Earlier, Iran had already allowed two Pakistani cargo ships to pass through the strait, while a Pakistani oil tanker successfully made the transit on March 16 — marking the first such passage by a non-Iranian tanker since the conflict began.
The development follows a recent phone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran were discussed.
Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in ongoing efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran, working in coordination with regional partners including Turkiye and Egypt.
Meanwhile, Islamabad is set to host foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt for high-level talks aimed at de-escalating regional tensions and promoting peace.
