Iran Says Ships Must Coordinate With Navy to Pass Through Strait of Hormuz
Ships must coordinate with Iran’s navy before passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, according to comments carried by the Mehr news agency.
The statement comes amid escalating tensions in the region. Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the country would continue to fight and use the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the United States and Israel. His remarks were among the first attributed to him since he succeeded his father following his death.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei emphasised that the security of the crucial waterway is closely linked to Iran’s own security.
“The security of the Strait of Hormuz is of vital importance to Iran because the country’s security is tied to the security of the region. With the longest coastlines on the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, Iran has always borne costs to protect this strategic waterway,” Baghaei said.
Khamenei also urged neighbouring countries to shut down US military bases operating within their territories and warned that Iran could continue targeting them.
Baghaei added that the current regional instability could affect shipping movement through the strait.
“The insecurity created in the region by the United States and the Zionist regime can affect the movement of ships. However, Iran does not want this strait to become insecure, and ships must coordinate with the Iranian navy when passing through so that maritime security is maintained,” he said.
The possibility of prolonged disruption in one of the world’s most important oil transit routes pushed global oil prices above USD 100 per barrel, reversing earlier declines that had been driven by hopes of a quick resolution to the conflict.
