March 26, 2026 | 10:52 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following the February 28 strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, tensions in the Gulf escalated rapidly, with Tehran launching retaliatory attacks on neighboring states and vessels in transit.
On March 2, Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), declared the Strait of Hormuz effectively “closed,” warning that any ships attempting to pass would be targeted.
The announcement has raised urgent questions over which countries are allowed to pass in the Strait of Hormuz, as no formal exemptions have been publicly confirmed amid escalating military threats.
Citing The Straits Times, experts have seen shipping activity plunge. Between March 1 and 19, just 116 commodity carriers transited the Strait of Hormuz, as per Kpler, it was a 95 percent drop from normal volumes.
The market response was swift and pronounced, with oil prices surging above $100 per barrel, compared with roughly $65 prior to the conflict. Al Jazeera said Brent crude rose 2.5 percent to $105.70 on Monday, putting it more than 40 percent above pre-war levels.
Which countries are allowed to pass in the Strait of Hormuz?
Despite the blockade, Iran appears to be enforcing a selective transit policy in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing limited passage for certain countries.
Pakistan has maintained access. A Pakistani-flagged Aframax tanker, Karachi, successfully exited the Gulf through the strait on Sunday, according to Bloomberg.
India has also received exemptions. Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Fathali, confirmed that some Indian vessels were allowed to pass in a rare exception.
A vessel linked to Turkey was similarly cleared. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said a Turkish-owned ship was granted permission after coordination with Tehran.
China, which receives around 45 percent of its oil through the strait, is pushing for guaranteed access, reflecting concerns over supply disruptions.
In Europe, France and Italy have requested talks with Iran to secure passage for their vessels, according to the Financial Times.
Japan has also been granted assurances recently. Tehran signaled that Japanese ships would be allowed to transit the waterway.
Read: Is Iran Cashing in Millions from Strait of Hormuz Blockade?
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