In an interview with Iranian state television, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that while the strait is not fully closed, Iran is allowing transit for nations it considers friendly or those that have coordinated with it. He noted that several countries had reached out requesting safe passage, and Iran’s armed forces facilitated their movement through the route.
Araghchi mentioned that ships from countries like China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, and India had recently passed through the strait, with more such movements expected in the future. He added that this arrangement could continue even after the conflict ends.
However, he made it clear that vessels linked to the United States, Israel, and certain Gulf nations involved in the conflict would not be permitted to pass. He described the region as a war zone and said there was no reason to allow ships of adversaries or their allies to transit through the waterway.
Araghchi also stated that Iran had demonstrated its control over the Strait of Hormuz, noting that earlier doubts about its ability to enforce a partial blockade had been proven wrong.
The situation began after joint military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, following which a senior official from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a partial closure of the strait. This triggered a global energy disruption, as nearly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass through this route.
The disruption led to a spike in global energy prices and caused supply issues in countries dependent on the route. In India, which imports a large portion of its LPG through the strait, shortages affected various sectors, including small businesses and restaurants.
The situation later eased somewhat after some vessels, including LPG carriers, were allowed to pass through the strait and reach India, restoring part of the disrupted supply chain.
