Iran Allows Two Pakistani Ships to Cross the Strait of Hormuz

Karachi, Pakistan (ANTARA) - Pakistan’s Ministry of Ports and Shipping confirmed to Anadolu on Saturday that Iran has allowed two of their cargo ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The ships, Multan and P-Aliki, were stranded after Iranian forces took control of the strait, one of the world’s key global oil supply routes, earlier this month. The two ships have now crossed the strait and are heading to Pakistan. The vessels, carrying cargo and 80 million litres of crude oil, are expected to arrive at Karachi port on 31 March, according to a source familiar with the matter. Sources said that the Iranian government not only allowed the two ships to cross the strait but also escorted them until they passed the border line. This incident occurs amid ongoing mediation efforts by Islamabad, along with Turkey and Egypt, to end the increasingly heated conflict in the Middle East, and this is the second time Tehran has allowed Pakistani ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, a Pakistani oil tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 16 March. The entire region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on 28 February, which so far has killed more than 1,340 people, including the then Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Iran’s military retaliation has caused casualties and infrastructure damage, as well as disrupting global markets and aviation.