Two additional Indian-flagged vessels carrying liquefied petroleum gas are navigating through the Strait of Hormuz along routes that closely follow Iran's coastline, according to ship-tracking data. These movements signal that select traffic is gaining passage under what appears to be coordinated Iranian approval.
The vessels are following the same route previously taken by other ships cleared by Tehran. This corridor-based approach contrasts sharply with the broader blockade of commercial shipping, suggesting Iran is permitting limited energy trade flows while maintaining overall strategic pressure on the waterway.
With India heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy imports, these LPG movements are critical for supply continuity. TankerMap data shows over 900 LNG vessels globally, of which an estimated 400+ normally operate in or transit the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. The Hormuz constrained corridor has become a lifeline for India and other Asian refiners seeking any available outlet from the Gulf.
These controlled passages also highlight the complexity of the blockade: it is not absolute, but strategically selective.