London: The Republic of Balochistan has strongly condemned what it described as a dangerous maritime escalation after two Indian vessels were reportedly forced westward out of the Strait of Hormuz by the Iranian navy, including an Indian-flagged VLCC supertanker carrying nearly two million barrels of Iraqi oil.
In a sharply worded statement, Balochistan said the use of force against commercial shipping posed a serious threat to regional stability and the security of one of the world’s most critical energy trade routes. The statement warned that interference with civilian maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz risked further destabilising an already volatile region.
Balochistan also drew attention to the timing of the incident, noting that it came shortly after Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, returned from Tehran. It said the episode raised serious questions over Pakistan’s possible role in aggravating maritime tensions while simultaneously presenting itself as a mediator seeking peace and a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
The statement suggested the developments warranted closer international scrutiny, particularly amid mounting concerns over the security of global oil shipments passing through the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of the world’s seaborne crude exports and has long been a flashpoint for geopolitical confrontation.
