WANA (Mar 22) – Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ali Mousavi, said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping, but warned it would be closed to countries considered hostile to Iran.

 

Mousavi stated that foreign vessels can continue to transit the strategic waterway, provided they coordinate with Iranian authorities on security and safety matters. He emphasized that such coordination is necessary to maintain stability in the vital maritime corridor.

 

While navigation remains possible, Mousavi noted that international obligations must be balanced with respect for Iran’s “territorial integrity and rights.”

 

He added that Tehran is ready to cooperate with the International Maritime Organization and other countries to enhance maritime safety protocols and protect seafarers operating in the region.

 

However, he stressed that “the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to Iran’s enemies.” Mousavi attributed current maritime tensions to regional instability, pointing to the role of the United States and Israel as key factors behind the situation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Meanwhile, CNN reported that a recent assessment by a Pentagon intelligence agency suggests Iran could sustain a closure of the Strait of Hormuz for between one and six months.

 

Separately, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said on Thursday that while Iran does not intend to block the critical shipping route, it reserves the right to ensure its own security.