‘India Is Our Friend’: Iran Says Indian Ships Will Not Face Trouble In Strait Of Hormuz

Amid rising tensions in West Asia, Iran's ambassador to India has said Tehran will ensure safe passage for Indian interests in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, even as the conflict in the region entered its 14th day on Friday. The assurance comes at a time when fears over shipping disruptions in one of the world's most crucial oil transit routes continue to mount.

Iran Says India's Interests Will Be Protected

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Iran's Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali said India remains a trusted partner for Tehran and suggested that Indian vessels would not face difficulties in the sensitive waterway.

"... Yes, because India is our friend. You will see it within two or three hours. We believe that Iran and India share common interests in the region," news agency ANI quoted him.

His remarks come amid growing international concern over the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes.

Strait Not Officially Closed, But Movement Affected

Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, said the Strait of Hormuz has not been formally shut, but acknowledged that current war conditions have severely impacted the movement of commercial vessels.

"Iran has not closed the Strait. It remains open; however, due to current conditions and circumstances, ships are unable to pass through the Hormuz. Otherwise, Iran never wanted the Strait to be closed or blocked. Some (ships) are still passing through," he told reporters in Delhi.

Ilahi also appealed to the international community to step in and end the conflict, saying the fallout of the war is affecting people globally.

"Those who initiated this war are the very ones who must stop it... Many people across the world are suffering due to this war. World leaders must unite and exert pressure on the President of the United States, urging him to put an immediate stop to this unjust war," ANI quoted Ilahi as saying.

Reiterating Tehran's position, he said Iran had not triggered the current hostilities and had been engaged in talks with Washington before the escalation.

"Iran did not initiate this war. Iran was engaged in negotiations with the United States and was also pursuing diplomatic efforts... Suddenly, the United States, along with the Zionist regime, attacked Iran, and they targeted a lot of civilians in Iran. We will win in this war, and we are prepared to sacrifice everything we possess for the sake of our dignity and our land," Ilahi told reporters in Delhi.

US Rejects Blockade Fears, Blames Iran For Shipping Disruptions

The United States has sought to downplay concerns about a full blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. At a Pentagon briefing, US war secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington was prepared to maintain freedom of navigation in the region and insisted the situation was under control.

"As the world is seeing, they are exercising sheer desperation in the Strait of Hormuz - something we're dealing with; we have been dealing with it. Don't need to worry about it."

Hegseth also directly blamed Iran for the disruption in maritime traffic.

"The only thing prohibiting transit in the strait right now is Iran shooting at shipping."

The remarks came as maritime tensions in the Gulf deepened further. A Reuters report said explosive-laden Iranian boats appeared to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them ablaze and killing one crew member.

The report added that projectiles had struck four vessels across Gulf waters, taking the total number of ships hit in the region since the conflict began to at least 16. Attacks on vessels linked to the United States and Europe have significantly escalated the maritime front of the conflict.

Mojtaba Khamenei Backs Continued Hormuz Pressure

The latest statements also follow a strong message from Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who in his first address after assuming leadership called for the continued use of the Strait of Hormuz blockade as a strategic pressure point.

"Dear fighter brothers! The desire of the masses of the people is the continuation of effective and regret-inducing defence. Furthermore, the leverage of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used."

Mojtaba Khamenei has also vowed revenge for the deaths of his father and others killed in recent US-Israel strikes, signalling that Tehran is unlikely to ease its posture anytime soon as the regional crisis intensifies.