NEW DELHI.- The Government of India announced the summons of the ambassador of Iran in the country to protest the incident in Strait of Hormuz, when two Iranian patrol boats allegedly opened warning fire against two Indian-flagged oil tankers, which had to retreat through the pass, once again blocked by the Iranian authorities in the context of their conflict with the United States.
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the call to the ambassador in New Delhi, Mohamad Fathali, to whom the head of the portfolio, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, conveyed his “concern” about the incident that involved “two ships with the Indian flag in the Strait of Hormuz”, with no victims to regret.
Jaishankar “noted the importance India attaches to the safety of merchant shipping and seafarers.” At the same time, he recalled that Iran had already facilitated the safe passage of several ships bound for India.
Likewise, the Indian Foreign Minister described the incident as “serious.” He asked the ambassador to convey to the authorities in Tehran the urgent need to “begin facilitating the passage of ships bound for India through the Strait as soon as possible.”
India, it should be remembered, was one of the countries that had signed bilateral agreements with Iran to cross the strait without problems during the first blockade imposed by the Iranian authorities.
Prices on the decline
The prices Oil prices fell sharply on Friday after Iran’s announcement of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, essential for global hydrocarbon trade.
“The oil market sees this as a step in the right direction, as this news is perceived as a relief from the crisis,” said Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates.
The price of a barrel of Brent from the North Sea, for delivery in June, fell 9.07% to reach $90.38.
Its US equivalent, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate, for delivery in May, plummeted 11.45% to reach $83.85.
