Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain open for maritime traffic for all vessels except those connected to its “enemies”, issuing the statement before a 48-hour deadline announced by US President Donald Trump was due to expire.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global crude oil supply, accounting for nearly 20% of worldwide shipments. Iran has kept the waterway closed amid a war involving the United States and Israel, and has earlier stated that ships belonging to the US and Israel, as well as vessels of their allied countries, would not be allowed to pass.
Trump had condemned the closure and warned that Iran must reopen the strait within 48 hours, or the US would strike Iran’s power generation infrastructure.
In the latest update, Iran’s representative to the UN maritime agency, Ali Mousavi, said Tehran is ready to cooperate with the International Maritime Organization to improve maritime security in the Gulf. He added that ships not linked to Iran’s enemies could transit the route by coordinating security arrangements with Tehran.
Mousavi said diplomacy remains Iran’s priority, while stressing that mutual trust is crucial. He also blamed the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz on attacks by Israel and the United States against Iran.
