The Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping, except for vessels linked to ‘Iran’s enemies’, Tehran’s representative to the UN maritime agency said on Sunday, after US President Donald Trump threatened to target Iranian power plants if the waterway was not ‘fully open’ within 48 hours.
The risk of Iranian attacks during the US–Israeli conflict has kept most ships from transiting the narrow strait, which carries around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, raising the prospect of a global energy shock.
Ali Mousavi said Tehran was ready to co-operate with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to improve maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf. He added that vessels not linked to ‘Iran’s enemies’ could pass through the strait by co-ordinating security and safety arrangements with Tehran.
‘Diplomacy remains Iran’s priority. However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important,’ Mousavi said, adding that Israeli and US attacks on Iran were at the ‘root of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz’.
(reuters)