Khaberni - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz is "open" for maritime navigation, but it is "closed only to tankers and ships owned by our enemies, those who attack us, and their allies".
Araqchi said in an interview with "MS Now": "In fact, the Strait of Hormuz is open. It is closed only to the tankers and ships owned by our enemies. Those who attack us and their allies. The rest can pass freely".
The minister pointed out that the concerns of countries about the safety of navigation in the region "are not related to Iran".
This clarification came days after the new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei stated on Thursday that the strait should remain closed as a pressure tactic in the conflict with the United States and Israel. Earlier today, US President Donald Trump also called on some European and Asian countries to send warships to the strait.
The near-complete halt of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil supplies pass, has led to a sharp increase in energy prices, with Brent crude exceeding $119 per barrel last Monday and European gas prices jumping by more than 100% since the end of February.
