U.S.-Israel-Iran war: List of countries allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz

Amid the escalating war in the Middle East, Iran has given its explicit permission to some countries, allowing their ships to safely pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Starting February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran, which in turn retaliated, spreading the war to the entire Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important choke point for the world’s energy supplies.

Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, that handles roughly 20% of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that the U.S., Israel and some Gulf States involved in the current war will not be allowed to pass through the strait.

Also read: Israel-Iran war LIVE updates

Here’s the list of countries that managed to secure safe passage for their vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

India

Iran has said it will allow Indian ships to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz. India has been included in Iran’s list of ‘friendly countries’ in the current conflict.

Since the U.S. and Israel started the conflict with Iran on February 28, at least four ships flying the Indian flag: Jag Vasant, Pine Gas, Shivalik, and Nanda Devi, have passed through the strait.

China

A majority of the ships that have made it through in recent weeks headed east, out of the Gulf. Among them, China accounted for 10%, counted by ownership or flag registration

Thailand

A Thai oil tanker ​has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic coordination between Thailand and Iran, and was not ‌required to pay to escape the blockade, a Thai official and the oil major that owns the vessel said.

The Bangchak Corporation-owned tanker crossed the strategic waterway on March 25, 2026 after successful talks between Thai foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Iran’s ​ambassador to Thailand.

Russia

Iran has explicitly authorised Russian vessels to use the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping. While Russia has official permission, most global shipping through the strait has seen a 95% drop since the outbreak of hostilities in late February 2026.

Pakistan

Between March 14 and 15, a Pakistan-bound tanker successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such transit since the war began. However, another Pakistan-bound tanker was turned away the following week by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for not adhering to legal protocols. As of the latest announcement from Mr. Araghchi, Pakistan is among the list of ‘friendly countries’ that are allowed to pass through the strait.

Iraq

After weeks of negotiations between Baghdad and Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi officially designated Iraq as a ‘friendly nation,’ granting Iraqi-owned vessels safe passage through the Strait.

Only about 150 vessels, including tankers and container ships, have transited since March 1, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence shipping information firm. That’s a little more than one day’s normal traffic before the war. Iran’s Kharg Island terminal loaded 1.6 million barrels in March — largely unchanged from prewar monthly loading totals, according to data and analytic firm Kpler. Most of the customers are small, private refineries in China that don’t care about U.S. sanctions.

(With Agencies Inputs)