Dhaka has urged Tehran to ensure the safe transit of the vessel Banglar Joyjatra through the Strait of Hormuz

Bangladesh has urged Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh to use his good offices to ensure the safe passage of the Bangladesh-flagged vessel Banglar Joyjatra through the Strait of Hormuz.

“We were very grateful when Iran included Bangladesh among the six countries whose vessels would be allowed to cross Hormuz,” Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said during a recent meeting with his Iranian counterpart on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

Khatibzadeh promptly followed up on the matter and informed the Bangladesh foreign minister on Sunday night that, despite the tense situation, necessary instructions had been issued to the relevant Iranian authorities.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides will remain in close contact on the issue. Dr Rahman is currently on a visit to Brussels, Belgium.

Bangladesh and Iran also exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Gulf region and other issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, the foreign minister reiterated Bangladesh’s consistent and balanced position on recent developments, emphasizing the need for restraint by all parties and the resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister appreciated Bangladesh’s constructive stance and expressed hope that Dr Rahman would visit Tehran at a mutually convenient time.

Earlier, on April 5 in Dhaka, Dr Rahman met Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi and requested assistance in ensuring safe passage for Banglar Joyjatra as well as another Bangladesh-bound vessel carrying crude oil.

The ambassador said the matter was being pursued with Iranian authorities at appropriate levels. He also praised Bangladesh’s balanced stance on the ongoing crisis and expressed gratitude for the government’s condolence motion at the opening of the 13th Parliament session following the targeted assassination of Ali Khamenei.

He further thanked the government for deputing Dr Md Nazrul Islam to sign the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy, and acknowledged Bangladesh’s facilitation of emergency medical supplies sent to Iran by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

During that meeting, the foreign minister also noted that he had sent an official letter to his Iranian counterpart thanking Iran for supporting the safe passage of 186 Bangladeshis from Iran to Azerbaijan.