For the first time since the Iran conflict began in late February, India has developed plans for oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz, load up unknown volumes of energy cargoes, and subsequently return to India under escort by Indian warships currently deployed to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, Bloomberg reported May 20. New Delhi still needs to give final approval for the plans, and it remains unclear whether India has received permission from either the United States or Iran for its tankers to transit the waterway.

Indian authorities have in recent weeks hiked fuel prices, urged citizens to limit fuel consumption, and undertaken other measures to address mounting energy demand amid limited transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Several tankers bound for India have successfully crossed the strait since the war began, though others have been attacked.