IRAN’S Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Friday confirmed that Tehran will provide safe passage to vessels bound for India through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, citing the longstanding friendship and shared interests between the two countries. Answering a question on whether Iran would allow ships safe transit through the Strait, which is one of the critical routes for global energy trade, Fathali said, “Yes. Because India and I are friends. You can see in the future and I think that after two or three hours. Because we believe that. We believe that Iran and India are friends.

 

We have common interests; we have a common fate.” He emphasised the mutual responsibility between the two nations, adding, “Suffering of the people of India is our suffering and vice versa. And for this reason, the government of India help us, and we should help the government of India because we have a common fate and common interest.” Fathali further stated that Tehran has instructed its embassy in India to facilitate the Indian Government, ensuring smooth operations amid the ongoing regional conflict.