Three Pakistani oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past ten days, according to Pakistani shipping sources and ship-tracking data, suggesting Iran may be granting safe passage for some oil shipments.
The latest Pakistani tanker to cross the strait was the ‘Karachi,’ one of the sources, from the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), told CNN on the condition of anonymity.
It is “very likely” that safe passage has been “coordinated with the Iranians,” the source said.
Ship tracking data from MarineTraffic showed that the oil tanker transited through the strait on Sunday evening, hugging the Iranian coastline.
MarineTraffic said the tanker was sailing within Iran’s exclusive economic zone and broadcasting its automatic identification system (AIS) signal, “suggesting that select shipments may be receiving negotiated safe passage.”
Qamar Cheema, the executive director of the Sanober Institute, a research organization in Islamabad, told CNN that one can “safely assume” that Pakistan used its diplomatic channels for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to get a deal for its vessels to pass through.
Iran “understands Pakistan’s economic concerns,” and it is unlikely that Islamabad had to make any concessions to Iran due to the “state and societal level support for Iran from Pakistan,” he said.
CNN has reached out to the Pakistani foreign ministry for comment.
Iran has repeatedly said the strait is only blocked for traffic from its enemies and their allies.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised Pakistan on X, extending his “heartfelt gratitude” for Pakistan’s “full-throated expression of solidarity and support” for Iran.
On Thursday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Islamabad has “an open channel of communication” with Iran.
Farida Elsebai contributed.
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