Published: 12:07 AM, 21 April 2026
Dhaka requests Tehran for Banglar Joyjatra's Strait of Hormuz passage
Bangladesh has requested Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Saeed Khatibzadeh to use his good offices to facilitate the safe passage of the Bangladesh-flagged vessel 'Banglar Joyjatra' through the Strait of Hormuz.
"We were very thankful when Iran included Bangladesh among the six countries whose vessels would be permitted to cross Hormuz," Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman told the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister during a recent meeting on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran followed up on the matter immediately and informed the Bangladesh Foreign Minister on Sunday night that while the situation continues to remain tense, necessary directives have been given to the authorities concerned in Iran, reports UNB.
The two leaders will continue to maintain communication on the matter, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur is currently visiting Brussels, Belgium.
Bangladesh and Iran 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 the ongoing developments, underscoring the importance of 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 the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh would visit Tehran at a mutually convenient time.
Earlier, on 5 April 2026 in Dhaka, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur held a meeting with Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Bangladesh, and requested facilitation of safe passage for Banglar Joyjatra as well as another Bangladesh-bound vessel carrying crude oil.
The Ambassador conveyed that the Iranian authorities were being approached at appropriate levels in this regard.
He also appreciated Bangladesh's balanced stance on the current crisis and expressed gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh for adopting a condolence motion on the opening day of the 13th Parliament session following the targeted assassination of the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini.
He thanked the government for deputing Secretary (Bilateral) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, to sign the condolence book at the Embassy of Iran on its behalf.
The Iranian Ambassador also conveyed appreciation for the Bangladesh government's actions to facilitate dispatch of emergency medical supplies to Iran by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur noted at that meeting he had addressed an official letter to Iranian Foreign Minister thanking him for the support extended by the Government of Iran to safe passage of 186 Bangladeshis from Iran to Azerbaijan.
