In a significant development aimed at maintaining stable energy supplies for its diplomatic allies, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that vessels from countries such as China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, and India have recently traversed the strategic Strait of Hormuz without hindrance.
Notably, Bangladesh is among the nations coordinating with Tehran to secure uninterrupted maritime access, an arrangement expected to continue even after current regional conflicts ease. Meanwhile, a senior official from Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry clarified that no formal communication has been made regarding a specific access grant. However, they emphasized that Bangladeshi vessels currently face no restrictions under Iran’s maritime policies.
This development holds critical importance for Dhaka, which depends heavily on the Gulf region for its energy needs. Approximately 63 percent of Bangladesh’s energy supplies come from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq, with the majority of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports sourced from Qatar.
Given that Bangladesh spent over $10 billion on fuel and LNG imports in the last fiscal year, any extended disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital conduit for a large share of the world’s oil—would have had severe economic consequences. To facilitate this selective access, Tehran has reportedly requested that Bangladeshi authorities provide advance notification of fuel shipments to prevent these vessels from being affected by restrictions targeting states deemed hostile.
