ISTANBUL, March 23 — Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the Strait of Hormuz is open, but ships fear passage over a United States-Israeli offensive against Tehran, Anadolu Ajansı reported.
“Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated — not Iran. No insurer, and no Iranian, will be swayed by more threats. Try respect.
"Freedom of Navigation cannot exist without Freedom of Trade. Respect both, or expect neither,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).
Similarly, on X, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said the Strait of Hormuz is "not blocked."
However, it said that vessels "belonging to the aggressor parties cannot be considered as normal and non-hostile passage, and will be dealt with in accordance with the legal framework arising from the conflict, as well as the decisions and measures of the competent Iranian authorities.”
Since early March, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route that normally handles about 20 million barrels per day and roughly 20 per cent of global liquefied natural gas trade, to most ships. The closure has driven up shipping and insurance costs, pushed oil prices higher, and raised global economic concerns.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants, starting with the largest, if Tehran did not open the strategic passage within 48 hours.
Hostilities in the region have escalated since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, with Tehran retaliating with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
