B Mirror Report: Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has urged Iran to take necessary steps to ensure the secure passage of the Bangladesh-flagged vessel Banglar Joyjatra through the Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region.
The request was made during a bilateral meeting between Dr Rahman and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye, according to an official release issued today.
“We sincerely appreciated Iran’s decision to include Bangladesh among the six countries whose vessels would be permitted to navigate through Hormuz,” Dr Rahman stated during the discussion.
In response, the Iranian deputy foreign minister immediately looked into the matter and informed Dr Rahman that, despite the prevailing volatility, appropriate directives had already been conveyed to the concerned authorities.
Both sides agreed to stay in close coordination on the issue, the release added.
During the meeting, the two leaders also exchanged views on the evolving Gulf situation and discussed a range of issues of mutual concern.
Dr Rahman reiterated Bangladesh’s longstanding and balanced position on the ongoing developments, highlighting the need for restraint by all parties and stressing the importance of resolving differences through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.
The Iranian deputy foreign minister commended Bangladesh’s constructive role and expressed optimism that Dr Rahman would undertake a visit to Tehran at a mutually convenient time.
Earlier, on April 5, Dr Rahman held talks in Dhaka with Iranian Ambassador Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, where he requested support for ensuring the safe passage of Banglar Joyjatra as well as another Bangladesh-bound vessel carrying crude oil.
The ambassador conveyed that the matter was being pursued with the relevant Iranian authorities at appropriate levels.
He also praised Bangladesh’s balanced stance on the current crisis and thanked the government for adopting a condolence motion in parliament following the killing of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The envoy further expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s humanitarian gesture in dispatching emergency medical supplies to Iran through the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.
At that meeting, Dr Rahman mentioned that he had written to his Iranian counterpart, expressing gratitude for facilitating the safe evacuation of 186 Bangladeshi nationals from Iran to Azerbaijan.
