ISLAMABAD / TEHRAN — In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Pakistan announced on Sunday, March 29, 2026, that Iran has agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistani-flagged ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement, which permits two vessels to cross daily, is being hailed by Islamabad as a “constructive gesture” that could signal a turning point in the month-long regional conflict.
The announcement comes as Pakistan prepares to host a high-level quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad today with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Türkiye to finalize a de-escalation framework.
The Shipping Agreement: “Two Ships a Day”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the development late Saturday via X (formerly Twitter), following an intensive hour-long call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
- The Quota: 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels will be granted safe passage, with a steady flow of two ships transiting every 24 hours.
- Immediate Movement: Sources in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs confirmed that two cargo ships—the Multan and the P-Akili (carrying over 80 million liters of crude)—have already cleared the strait and are expected to dock in Karachi by March 31.
- Iranian Escort: Reports indicate that Iranian naval forces provided a protective escort for these vessels until they cleared the “flashpoint line” of the maritime blockade.
Diplomatic “Confidence Building”
Ishaq Dar described the move as a “meaningful step toward peace” that strengthens collective mediation efforts.
- Selective Regulation: By allowing ships from “friendly nations” (including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan) while blocking those linked to the U.S. and Israel, Iran is demonstrating its operational control over the chokepoint to gain leverage in negotiations.
- The “Pakistan Channel”: Islamabad has emerged as the primary intermediary for messages between the Trump administration and Tehran. This gesture is seen as a reward for Pakistan’s mediation and a “goodwill token” ahead of the April 6 deadline.
- Relief for Energy Markets: While 20 ships represent only a fraction of the usual 138-vessel daily traffic, the inclusion of tankers like the P-Akili is expected to provide slight relief to Pakistan’s strained fuel reserves.
The Islamabad Summit (March 29-30)
The shipping announcement serves as a prelude to the “in-depth discussions” starting today in the Pakistani capital.
| Participant | Role in the Summit |
| Pakistan | Lead mediator and host; seeking to avert “Phase 3” infrastructure strikes. |
| Türkiye | Working to establish a permanent de-escalation mechanism. |
| Egypt & Saudi Arabia | Focused on regional stability and securing broader maritime safe-passage deals. |
What’s Next?
The success of this 20-ship “test run” will likely determine if Iran is willing to expand the safe-passage offer to other neutral nations. However, the U.S. has maintained that anything short of a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will trigger a transition to more aggressive military phases by the April 6 deadline.
