Iran will allow 20 more Pakistani vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister announced on Saturday.
“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,” Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar posted on X.
Dar praised the agreement as a “welcome and constructive gesture” by Iran that “deserves appreciation.” He also called it a “harbinger of peace” that will help restore stability in the Middle East, which has been embroiled in a war for a month now.
“This positive announcement marks a meaningful step toward peace and will strengthen our collective efforts in that direction,” Dar added. “Dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward.”
Iran has maintained a chokehold over the strait since the start of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Tehran, halting global shipping and causing oil prices to soar.
The closure has led to President Donald Trump threatening to bomb Iran’s power plants if it is not reopened, as well as him pursuing a more diplomatic option: a peace deal.
While those peace talks are said to be still underway, with Pakistan mediating, ships have resumed crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has begun permitting passage to so-called friendly nations, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier this week.
IRAN SAYS IT IS STILL ENFORCING STRAIT OF HORMUZ BLOCKADE DESPITE REPORTS TO THE CONTRARY
Included in that bloc is China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan. Malaysia and Thailand have also said Iran has allowed their ships to sail through the strait.
President Donald Trump has framed some of these agreements as a “present” to the United States.
