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Strait of Hormuz Open to Ships That Cooperate With Iran: FM Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi stated the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all commercial vessels but requires cooperation with Iranian naval forces. He blamed the United States for an "illegal blockade" on Iran's ports, not Tehran, for maritime disruptions. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi added that peace would improve security in the strait. Both officials criticized Washington for lacking serious diplomatic engagement.

Key Points: Strait of Hormuz Open to Ships Cooperating With Iran

  • Iran says Strait of Hormuz open to all commercial ships
  • Ships must coordinate with Iranian navy for passage
  • Tehran blames US for illegal blockade on its ports
  • Remarks come amid heightened Gulf tensions and BRICS meeting
2 min read

"Strait of Hormuz open to all commercial ships, but must cooperate with our Navy": Iranian FM Araghchi

Iranian FM Araghchi says Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial ships, but they must cooperate with Iran's navy amid tensions with the US.

"The Strait of Hormuz is now suffering more than anything from American aggression and the blockade it has imposed on it. - Seyyed Abbas Araghchi"

New Delhi, May 14

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday said that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all commercial vessels, while stressing that ships must coordinate with Iranian naval forces to pass through the strategic waterway amid heightened regional tensions and what Tehran describes as an "illegal blockade" imposed by the United States on its ports.

During an interview with Press TV ahead of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, Araghchi said, "The Strait of Hormuz is now suffering more than anything from American aggression and the blockade it has imposed on it."

"In our view, the Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial ships, but they must cooperate with our naval forces," he added.

The Iranian Foreign Minister asserted that Tehran has not obstructed maritime movement in the strategically vital waterway, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass.

"We have not created any obstacles; it is America that has created the blockade, and I hope this situation will end with the lifting of this illegal blockade imposed by America," Araghchi stated.

His remarks come amid growing geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region and increased international focus on maritime security and energy supply routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.

One of the world's most critical chokepoints for global energy trade, located between Iran and Oman, the strait has been a site of power struggles between Iran and the US amid the conflict in the region.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz would improve once peace is restored in the region, while accusing the United States of not engaging in "serious diplomacy".

Speaking to ANI, Gharibabadi said Iran would continue to operate within the framework of international law.

"Strait of Hormuz situation will be better than before once peace is established. There will be transparency. There will be no discrepancy. We will not go beyond international law. If peace is established, it will have more safety and security than before," he said.

The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister also criticised the United States, alleging that Washington was not committed to meaningful diplomatic engagement.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

J
James A
Classic geopolitical chess game. Iran blames the US, US blames Iran, and everyone else gets caught in the middle. As someone who follows energy markets, this is worrying—any disruption in the Strait could send crude oil above $100 a barrel. India imports 80% of its oil, so stability here is non-negotiable. I hope the BRICS meet leads to some constructive dialogue, not just more posturing.
P
Priya S
Ye to bahut complicated hai! 😅 On one hand, Iran's frustration with US sanctions is valid—they've been squeezed for years. But "cooperate with our Navy" sounds like a subtle way to assert control. India needs to tread carefully here—we have good ties with Iran (Chabahar port, etc.) but also with the US and Gulf nations. Diplomacy is our strength, so let's use it to ensure free navigation!
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, this feels like Iran is trying to rewrite the narrative. The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway—no single country should demand "cooperation" from commercial vessels under threat of force. The US sanctions might be heavy-handed, but Iran's approach isn't helping de-escalation either. India should advocate for international law to prevail, not unilateral demands from Tehran.
V
Vikram M
As an Indian, I'm watching this closely. Iran is our neighbor and a key partner for connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia. But stability in the Gulf directly impacts our energy security and the welfare of 9 million Indians working there. Araghchi's statement sounds reasonable on the surface—"open to commercial ships"—but the fine print about naval cooperation is worrying. Let's hope Indian diplomacy can bridge this gap.

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