India is weighing the option of deploying naval warships to escort its commercial fuel tankers that remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran conflict. The move is being considered after requests from Indian shipowners seeking protection for vessels carrying critical energy supplies. Officials indicated that the proposal is under active review, with a decision expected soon as maritime risks in the region continue to escalate.
The disruption follows the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz after hostilities intensified between Iran, the United States and Israel. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most vital energy corridors, and the conflict has severely hindered the movement of oil and gas shipments to multiple countries. Indian vessels transporting crude oil and liquefied natural gas have been unable to safely transit the passage due to fears of being caught in military crossfire.
India’s energy dependence on the region has amplified the urgency of the situation. A significant share of the country’s crude oil imports originates from the Middle East, with a large portion routed through the Strait of Hormuz. Liquefied petroleum gas supplies are also heavily reliant on Gulf producers, and most of these shipments pass through the same maritime choke point. Any prolonged disruption threatens fuel availability, price stability and broader energy security.
Dozens of Indian-flagged commercial ships, carrying more than a thousand sailors, remain stuck across the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. These include oil tankers and vessels transporting petroleum and natural gas cargo. Authorities have held high-level meetings to address the safety of seafarers and the protection of maritime assets, directing officials to prepare contingency responses if the situation deteriorates further.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has already initiated naval escort operations to secure its own energy shipments. The Pakistan Navy launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to protect maritime trade routes and ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies. Warships have begun accompanying merchant vessels through vulnerable stretches, with at least two ships already under active naval protection as they return to port.
Pakistan’s move comes amid a deepening domestic energy crisis, with fuel reserves running critically low. The country relies heavily on oil and gas imports from Gulf nations, and supply disruptions have heightened economic pressure. Naval escorts are intended to safeguard remaining shipments and stabilise essential energy flows until maritime conditions improve.
