https://arab.news/g9jpu
- Two ships will cross through the Strait of Hormuz daily, Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar says
- Iran’s attacks on vessels passing through strait have stopped almost all traffic passing through it
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced this week that Iran has allowed 20 more ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway, noting the move would help usher stability in the conflict-ridden region.
Iran’s threats and attacks on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz have raised the risk of transit enough to stop almost all traffic through the narrow waterway. The strategic waterway between Iran and Oman is the main conduit for roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and natural gas, including fertilizers.
Iran’s hold on the Strait of Hormuz has driven global oil prices higher, pushing countries such as Pakistan to undertake measures to conserve fuel and demand an end to the US and Israel’s war against Iran that broke out last month.
“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 social media platform X on Saturday.
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The Pakistani foreign minister tagged US Vice President J.D. Vance, US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in the post.
Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister also, described the move as a “welcome and constructive gesture” by Iran. He said it was a harbinger of peace that would help usher stability in the region.
“This positive announcement marks a meaningful step toward peace and will strengthen our collective efforts in that direction,” he noted.
“Dialogue, diplomacy and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward.”
The Pakistani minister also spoke to Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday, the Pakistan foreign office said, to discuss regional developments.
Dar stressed the need for dialogue and diplomacy in the conversation, the foreign office said, calling for an end to all attacks and hostilities.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan is set to host talks in Islamabad with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye attending, who are expected to be in Islamabad on Sunday.
The talks will focus on attempts to de-escalate tensions in the region, the Pakistani foreign office said.
The US and Israel’s coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation against Israel and US interests in the Gulf region have pushed oil prices higher, prompting calls for de-escalation.