Thai-flagged oil tanker safely transits Strait of Hormuz under Iranian diplomatic safe-passage — first confirmed transit since conflict

A Thailand-flagged oil tanker operated by Bangchak Corporation safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on March 25 (Day 26) following diplomatic coordination between Thailand and Iran. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said he had personally sought assurances from Iranian officials for the safety of Thai vessels passing through the strategic waterway. The Thai FM quoted Iran's response: 'They responded that they would take care of it and asked us to provide the names of the vessels that would be transiting.' Iran then allowed the named Thai vessel to transit. This is the first confirmed case of a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz under an Iranian-granted safe-passage guarantee since the conflict began on February 28. The implications are significant: (1) Hormuz is NOT completely sealed — Iran is exercising selective control rather than total blockade, using passage as diplomatic leverage; (2) Countries that establish diplomatic safe-passage arrangements with Iran can move vessels; (3) The WTO's warning about fertilizer supply disruption remains valid for countries without such arrangements; (4) Iran is signaling it can selectively open the strait as a diplomatic concession — potentially relevant to the 15-point plan's Hormuz safe-passage guarantee demand. Hormuz traffic has collapsed 90% per IEA; this transit suggests Iran is maintaining unilateral control rather than enforcing a blanket closure.