Thailand has reached a bilateral agreement with Iran to ensure safe transit for its oil tankers through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, following disruptions that caused fuel shortages and long queues at petrol stations across Southeast Asia.
Key Details
- Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the deal on March 28, 2026, stating it reduces the risk of future disruptions like those seen in early March.
- Iranian forces had slowed shipping through the strait to a trickle amid the ongoing Middle East war, with over 95% of commodities shipping through the strait plunging between March 1–26.
- The agreement comes after a Thai bulk carrier was attacked in the waterway earlier in March, leaving three crew members missing.
- Over 24 commercial vessels, including 11 tankers, reported incidents in the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, or Gulf of Oman this month, according to UKMTO.
The deal provides temporary relief to Thailand, which heavily depends on energy imports through the strait, yet ongoing regional instability continues to pose risks to global energy supply chains
