India is in talks with Iran to secure the safe passage of more than 20 tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, according to people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports.

This primarily concerns tankers carrying oil and liquefied petroleum gas.

Earlier on Thursday, news reports suggested Iran had permitted India-flagged vessels to pass through the Strait. Asked about an agreement, an Iranian official familiar with the matter denied a green light had been granted, asking not to be named as he is not authorized to speak to media.

Earlier, NDTV, citing its sources, had reported that Iran had ensured the safe passage of two Indian-flagged tankers, the Pushpak and the Parimal, through the Strait of Hormuz.

On March 2, Brigadier General Ebrahim Jabari, the adviser to the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran, had warned that the Strait of Hormuz, which ensures about a fifth of the world's oil exports, would be closed to shipping due to Israeli and US military action against the Islamic Republic.

On March 5, however, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had stated that the Strait of Hormuz was not closed, but that ships and tankers were simply not trying to cross it, fearing attacks from both sides.