In a significant diplomatic development, Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to vessels from certain countries despite escalating tensions in the Middle East. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the strategic waterway, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil is transported, is not entirely closed, contrary to Western media reports.
Araghchi stated on Iranian State TV that Iran has granted safe passage to ships from countries deemed friendly, including China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, India, and Bangladesh. He highlighted that several vessels from these nations have recently transited the strait, with some passing through just a few nights ago. The Iranian official assured that this cooperation would continue even amidst ongoing conflict.
However, Araghchi also clarified that vessels linked to adversarial nations or involved in the current hostilities would not be permitted to cross. “We are in a state of war. The region is a war zone, and there is no reason to allow the ships of our enemies and their allies to pass through. But it remains open to others,” he said.
This stance follows Iran’s recent actions, including stopping a Pakistan-bound container ship, SELEN, from crossing the strait earlier this week. The vessel, traveling from the UAE’s Sharjah to Karachi, was forced to reverse course at the strait’s entrance due to lack of transit authorization, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran’s control over the Strait has been reinforced through drone and missile attacks on shipping, effectively choking off a vital global energy route. As a result, the flow of oil and liquefied natural gas has drastically decreased, causing worldwide fuel shortages and disrupting supply chains across industries—from airlines to supermarkets.
The conflict, which erupted after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran last month, has led to a 95% decline in daily shipping through the strait. Industry data shows that, typically, around 120 vessels transit the channel daily; however, between March 1 and 25, only 155 crossings occurred—most heading eastward, with just two vessels traveling westward on Wednesday.
The ongoing crisis underscores the geopolitical and economic risks posed by Iran’s strategic maneuvering in the region, with global markets closely monitoring developments in the critical waterways.
