WANA (Apr 09) – Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, outlined the latest developments regarding the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing regional diplomacy, emphasizing that vessels must coordinate with Iran to ensure safe passage through the strategic waterway.

 

He stated that all lanes in the Strait of Hormuz remain open to shipping. However, due to wartime conditions and specific technical requirements, all vessels must coordinate with the Iranian military through designated communication channels before transiting the strait. According to him, these measures are aimed at guaranteeing the safety of ships and their crews and will remain in place until further notice.

 

Khatibzadeh added that Iran continues to operate under wartime navigation maps and protocols. All vessels, particularly oil tankers, are required to make prior arrangements with Iranian authorities to ensure secure passage through this critical maritime route.

 

In another part of his remarks, he addressed regional political developments, announcing that an Iranian delegation is set to travel to Islamabad for peace negotiations. He stressed that any regional peace agreement must be comprehensive and include Lebanon.

 

Describing the previous night as “highly critical,” Khatibzadeh said Iran had been on the verge of responding to a ceasefire violation. However, intervention by Pakistan and the exchange of messages regarding U.S. efforts to control the situation helped prevent an escalation.

 

He concluded by reaffirming Iran’s commitment to regional stability, noting that lasting peace in the Middle East requires an inclusive approach involving all parties. Without addressing all actors, including Lebanon, a sustainable peace agreement would not be achievable.