Iran has tightened control over maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened regional tensions involving the United States and Israel, resulting in restrictions affecting international shipping, including a Bangladesh-flagged vessel.
The container vessel Banglar Joyjatra, operated under the ownership of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) and crewed entirely by Bangladeshi nationals, has reportedly been unable to transit the strategic waterway due to the absence of clearance from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps). The vessel is currently carrying approximately 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser and is understood to be positioned near a port in the United Arab Emirates after being denied passage.
According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman raised the matter on Sunday, 19 April, during a meeting in Türkiye with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh, requesting assistance to ensure the vessel’s safe passage through Hormuz.
Separately, reports indicate that another vessel, sailing under the Cayman Islands flag and carrying Arabian Light crude oil from the Saudi port of Juaymah to Chattogram, has also been unable to proceed due to lack of Iranian clearance.
Although Iran’s ambassador to Dhaka previously stated on 1 April that assistance would be provided to six Bangladeshi vessels awaiting permission to pass through Hormuz, subsequent developments suggest continued delays in granting transit approval.
The Banglar Joyjatra, operated under charter by a Singapore-based company, had planned to continue via the Strait of Hormuz towards Cape Town and Durban in South Africa. Despite two separate attempts, the vessel was reportedly denied permission by Iranian naval authorities and the IRGC, leading to its current anchorage position.
BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek has stated that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure approval for the vessel’s transit. Bangladesh has also engaged in discussions with Iranian officials in previous meetings in Dhaka and other diplomatic channels to resolve the matter.
Timeline of key developments
| Date |
Event |
| Late March |
Iran signals in state media that selected foreign vessels may transit Hormuz |
| 1 April |
Iranian ambassador in Dhaka comments on support for Bangladeshi vessels |
| 5 April |
Bangladesh requests Iranian assistance in Dhaka meeting |
| 8 April |
Vessel attempts transit after temporary regional developments |
| 19 April |
Issue raised again in Türkiye diplomatic meeting |
Diplomatic sources in Dhaka suggest that tensions following recent regional military developments and differing official statements may have contributed to Iran’s restrictive stance. A former Bangladeshi diplomat noted that Bangladesh traditionally avoids endorsing military aggression and maintains a policy framework based on non-support for attacks against any state, suggesting that inconsistencies in recent positions may have created ambiguity in diplomatic perception.
Iranian officials have previously expressed dissatisfaction with Bangladesh’s public statements regarding recent regional conflicts, including reactions following reported military strikes and the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as conveyed in discussions with the Iranian embassy in Dhaka.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime chokepoints, linking the Persian Gulf with global shipping routes, making uninterrupted passage critical for international trade and energy transport.
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