Dhaka, March 27 -- Bangladesh is among several "friendly nations" named by Iran whose vessels may be allowed safe passage through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran says the crucial maritime route remains partially open notwithstanding the ongoing Middle-East turmoil.

In a notable diplomatic development, Iran has indicated that ships linked to a number of countries, including Bangladesh, can still transit the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz under coordinated arrangements, says a UNB report with input from NDTV.

The narrow waterway, which carries around one-fifth of the world's oil shipments, has been under tight Iranian control since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran last month.

Speaking to Iranian State...