Iran allows ships from 'friendly nations' including India? Latest updates in Middle East conflict

In what appeared to be a remarkable breakthrough in Middle East peace talks, Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi said early on Thursday that Tehran has allowed ships from "friendly nations" including India, according to a post by the Iranian consulate in Mumbai. The other countries mentioned were China, Russia, Iraq and Pakistan.

The development comes at a time when the US has announced a five-day pause in its planned attacks on Iran's power infrastructure, with President Donald Trump claiming to have had positive talks with Iran. Tehran initially denied having engaged in any such talks with the US.

The US ceasefire has eased almost four weeks of intense worries across financial markets since the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader by joint US-Israel strikes against Tehran on February 28 that triggered Iran's retaliatory action against several countries in the Middle East. Iran imposed a partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to continue it as a pressure tactic against their enemies.

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Iran's selective exemption signals its intent to address the matter diplomatically, after weeks of escalations from the three sides, say experts. Key buyers like India -- which meets more than four-fifths of its crude oil demand through imports -- and allies China and Russia may enable Iran to negotiate its terms in any peace talks, they add.

What makes the Strait of Hormuz crucial for world markets?

The strait -- a maritime region connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea -- normally enables the passage of about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies.

Is Iran reviewing the US proposal?

On Wednesday, Araghchi said that Iran was reviewing a US proposal to end the war in the Gulf but had no intention of holding talks to wind down the Middle East conflict, according to foreign media reports. His latest remarks rekindled hopes of peace talks between both nations.

Araghchi said on state television that the exchange of messages through mediators "does not mean" that Iran is negotiating with the US.

That contradicted another claim by the American president, who said on Wednesday that Iranian leaders "are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal ⁠so badly, but they're afraid to say it because they will be killed by their own people. They're also afraid they'll be killed by us".

Earlier, Iran reportedly told intermediaries that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement with the US and Israel.

The White House declined to disclose specifics of its proposal to Iran.

"If they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily, and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Those remarks followed reports that Trump's 15-point proposal, sent through Pakistan, calls ​for removing Iran's stocks of highly enriched uranium and curbing its ballistic missile program.

Who is leading Iran?

Last week, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not sure as to who was currently in charge in Iran.

Claiming that there are signs of internal divisions within Iran's political leadership, he said that Iran's current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared publicly.

He has "not shown his face", remarked Netanyahu.

Middle East Conflict | What do the US, Israel and Iran want?

Iran

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has said his country would attack an unnamed neighbouring country ​if it cooperated with efforts by "the enemies" to occupy one of its islands.

Those remarks come at a time when Iran has already attacked countries that host US bases in the Middle East.

US

Under Trump's leadership, the US wants to degrade Iran's military and nuclear capabilities and now secure the Strait of Hormuz. However, the POTUS has made statements suggesting that other nations should shoulder the burden of policing the waterway.

Israel

Israel wants a regime change in Iran with its nuclear program dismantled and potential long-range missile threats eliminated.

Here are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) in the matter:

Is there a fuel crisis in India due to the Strait blockage?

No. The government has repeatedly said that domestic supplies of petrol, diesel and LPG remain stable. It has ramped up domestic production while focusing on diversified imports to tackle the Strait of Hormuz situation.

What has the Indian government said about the Middle East crisis?

Describing the situation as worrisome, government officials have urged de-escalation and asserted that there is no need to panic. It has also assured that fuel supplies are being closely monitored and managed.

When will the five-day US ceasefire end?

The US announced the ceasefire on Monday, March 23.

Is it a permanent truce?

No, the move was described as a temporary window linked to negotiations. It is not announced as a formal long-term truce.