Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi on Wednesday said Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has granted permission for six stranded Bangladeshi ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
“I am hopeful that energy-carrying vessels will soon be able to cross the Strait of Hormuz, and that any potential energy crisis in Bangladesh can be resolved,” he told reporters at the Iranian Embassy, adding that Bangladesh and Iran are working closely to ensure the safe passage of the ships.
Commenting on recent developments in the Middle East, the Ambassador claimed that the United States has actually brought the entire region under war.
He said while the previous U.S. administration avoided falling into what he described as an Israeli “trap,” President Donald Trump had done so under Israeli influence and instigation.
The envoy emphasised that efforts would be made to ensure that Muslims in the region do not suffer.
He also mentioned that Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, wrote to his Iranian counterpart on Tuesday, expressing gratitude for Iran’s assistance in safely repatriating Bangladeshis from Iran.
Describing the relationship between the two nations as fraternal, the Ambassador said Iran considers Bangladesh a brotherly country and expects mutual support during difficult times.
Citing the UN Charter, he said aggression by one state against another is illegal, and claimed that Iran is a victim of such aggression.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s identity as a Muslim-majority country and its membership in the United Nations and the OIC, the Ambassador said Iran expects Bangladesh to strongly condemn what he described as aggression and the killing of women and children.
“Bangladesh has expressed concerns, but we would have been happy to see Bangladesh condemning the aggression on Iran,” he said.
The Ambassador said Iran was verifying detailed information of six fuel-carrying ships bound for Bangladesh that remained stranded at the Strait of Hormuz.
“Initially, there were no specific details of the ships. After we informed Bangladesh, they shared the specific information last week. We are now verifying it,” he said.
Bangladesh had earlier requested Iran to allow the vessels to pass through the strait following the February 28 attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.
The envoy said Iran maintains a principled position to allow Bangladesh’s fuel-carrying ships through the strategic waterway.
Jahanabadi said the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka has sent information and photographs to Tehran highlighting the difficulties faced by Bangladeshis amid the ongoing fuel crisis.