Tehran: Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Iran has announced that it will permit vessels from certain ‘friendly nations’, including Pakistan, to safely navigate through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that ships from Pakistan, India, Russia, China, and Iraq have been granted passage through the crucial waterway despite the ongoing conflict.
He explained that while there are some restrictions in place, Iran has worked with specific countries to ensure the safe transit of their vessels. “Certain nations have reached out to us seeking secure passage. We have facilitated their movement based on our relationships,” he said in an interview with Iranian state television.
However, Araghchi emphasized that ships associated with the United States, Israel, and their allies engaged in the conflict, would not be allowed through, characterizing the area as a ‘war zone’.
This decision comes after Iran partially closed the Strait of Hormuz following joint military actions by the US and Israel, raising global concerns as nearly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass through this critical maritime route.
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