Iran denies Hormuz access to Bangladeshi ship

Iranian authorities on Friday morning turned down a request by a Bangladeshi cargo ship to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, after Bangladeshi officials sought the permit through prescribed channels.

The vessel, MV Banglar Joyjatra, remained anchored at Mina Saqr anchorage in the United Arab Emirates, approximately 20 nautical miles away from the Strait.

Commodore Mahmudul Malek, managing director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), confirmed the development to the Daily Sun around 3:30pm on Friday.

The Hormuz entry denial highlights the uncertainties over the Iran-US truce as Israeli continues deadly strikes across Lebanon, violating the ceasefire agreement. Iran has resumed Hormuz restrictions to put pressure on Israel to stop the ceasefire breaches.

The pre-dawn ceasefire announcement on Wednesday revived hopes for a resumption of shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for 20% of global energy shipments.

Like many other vessels, MV Banglar Joyjatra set sail for the strait after lying stranded in the Persian Gulf for more than 40 days since the start of the war.

It started from Saudi Arabia’s Raas Al-Khair port with 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser and 31 crew members.

BSC chief Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the vessel approached the vicinity of the Strait around 8:00am on Friday and subsequently sought clearance through proper procedures by applying online to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

However, the response received was “negative,” he said.

“Efforts are ongoing through diplomatic channels to secure permission for Hormuz transit. The vessel remains positioned near the Strait,” he added.