JAKARTA - Iran stated that the Strait of Hormuz remained open because restrictions on the use of the route only applied to the United States, Israel, and their allies, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday (14/3).
"The Strait of Hormuz is open. The strait is only closed to tankers and ships belonging to our enemies, to those who attack us and their allies. The others are free to pass," Araghchi told broadcaster MS Now.
The Foreign Minister added that countries' concerns about maritime safety in the region "have nothing to do" with Iran.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was almost halted after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on February 28, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and US military bases throughout the Middle East.
The strait is a key route for supplying oil and liquefied natural gas from Persian Gulf countries to global markets, which account for about 20 percent of global trade in oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas.
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