Ali Mousavi, Iran's representative to the International Maritime Organization and ambassador to the U.K., said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping except for vessels linked to what Tehran calls "Iran's enemies." His comments, published by Xinhua, came days before a U.S. threat to target Iranian power plants if the strait was not fully reopened. Mousavi said Iran will cooperate with the IMO and requires coordination on security arrangements for safe passage.
Iran Says Strait Of Hormuz Open — Except To Vessels Linked To Its 'Enemies'
FILE PHOTO: An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
DUBAI, March 22 (Reuters) — Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping except for vessels it deems linked to "Iran's enemies," Iranian media quoted the country's representative to the U.N. maritime agency on Sunday.
Ali Mousavi made the remarks in an interview carried by the Chinese news agency Xinhua on Friday, published days before U.S. President Donald Trump warned he would target Iranian power plants if the waterway was not "fully open" within 48 hours.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow strategic chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas transit. Fears of escalation amid tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel have deterred many commercial vessels from transiting the passage, raising concerns about a possible global energy shock.
What Iran Says
Mousavi, who serves as Iran's representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and as ambassador to the United Kingdom, said Tehran would continue to cooperate with the IMO to enhance maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf.
He added that vessels not identified as belonging to "Iran's enemies" could transit the strait after coordinating security and safety arrangements with Iranian authorities.
"Diplomacy remains Iran's priority. However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important," Mousavi said, blaming Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran as being at the "root of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz."
Iran's comments underscore Tehran's stance that it will allow commercial passage while reserving the right to restrict ships it considers hostile, and highlights ongoing efforts — at least rhetorically — to work with international maritime bodies to reduce risks to civilian shipping.
(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by William Mallard and Alexander Smith)
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