ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Saturday that Iran had agreed to allow 20 additional ships flying the Pakistani flag to transit the Strait of Hormuz, with two vessels crossing daily.

Mr Dar called the decision “a welcome and constructive gesture by Iran” that “deserves appreciation” and could help bring stability to the region. “Dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward,” he said in a post on X.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had some time back stated on X that his country had permitted passage through the strait for friendly nations, including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan. By selectively regulating passage through the Strait of Hormuz — allowing ships from designated “friendly nations” while denying or turning back vessels linked to adversaries such as the US, Israel, and their allies — Iran has been signalling its firm operational control over this vital chokepoint.

The latest announcement by Mr Dar comes as the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route carrying about one-fifth of the global oil trade, has faced disruptions due to the Iran war, now in its fourth week. Iran has restricted access since the start of the month.

The first Pakistani vessel to successfully transit the strait since the start of the war was the oil tanker MT Karachi, which passed around March 15–16 after receiving special permission from Iranian authorities.

The fresh agreement expands transit options for Pakistani-flagged ships, potentially easing supply chain pressures for energy imports.

No immediate comment was available from Iranian officials on the increase to 20 additional ships.

Pakistan has sought to position itself as a regional mediator while safeguarding its economic interests.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2026