KARACHI – The Iranian Consul General in Karachi, Akbar Isa Zade, has clarified that the Strait of Hormuz remains fully accessible for Pakistani vessels, offering a secure passage for trade amid regional maritime tensions. In an exclusive interview with Geo News, the Consul General stated that ships carrying crude oil or gas can navigate through the strategic waterway by coordinating with the Iranian government.
The Consul General emphasized that the Strait is only closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, and their allies, while it remains open for international commerce for all other nations not involved in direct aggression. He further noted that Pakistan and several other countries have been granted explicit permission to use the passage as part of ongoing regional cooperation.
This statement follows a significant maritime development involving the Pakistani-flagged oil tanker, “Karachi.” According to Bloomberg, the vessel recently became a symbol of safe passage by navigating close to the Iranian coast. The tanker, carrying over 80 million liters of oil destined for Pakistan, passed through the narrow straits between the Iranian islands of Larak and Qeshm before heading toward the Gulf of Oman.
The successful transit of the Pakistani tanker highlights emerging maritime dynamics, including an informal “Marine Traffic Control” system managed by Iran. Reports suggest that successful passage now often indicates an approved route, leading countries such as India and Turkiye to reportedly seek similar safe corridors. However, despite these developments, international insurance companies and banks remain wary of the escalating risks associated with the Iranian route.
