Iran foreign ministry clarifies on status of Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday evening issued a statement outlining the Islamic Republic’s principled position on maritime safety and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement said that the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a responsible state committed to the principles of the UN Charter and international law, has always respected the principle of freedom of navigation as well as maritime safety and security, and has worked for many years to uphold these principles across the region’s waterways, including the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman.
It added that respect for these principles in practice — including passage through the Strait of Hormuz — cannot be conceived except in the context of respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the coastal state.
According to the statement, following what it described as the military aggression by the United States and the “Zionist regime” against Iran since February 28, 2026, in what Tehran called a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and the peremptory norm prohibiting the use of force, a dangerous situation has been imposed on the Persian Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz, directly affecting maritime safety and navigation security.
The ministry said that, in exercising its inherent right of self-defense against the aggressor parties, Iran has not only targeted US military bases and facilities in the region, but has also adopted a series of measures to prevent the aggressors and their supporters from exploiting the Strait of Hormuz to advance what it described as their hostile objectives against Iran.
As the coastal state bordering the Strait of Hormuz, Iran said it has, in accordance with established principles and rules of international law, prevented the transit of vessels belonging to or linked with the aggressor parties and those participating in their acts of aggression.
At the same time, the statement said, Iran has taken what it described as a responsible approach by implementing precautionary measures aimed at preventing additional risks to ships and seafarers in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman.
“Accordingly, and as repeatedly emphasized, the Strait of Hormuz is not closed and maritime traffic through the strait has not been suspended,” the statement said.
It added that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz continues, subject to the necessary measures mentioned above and the considerations arising from the wartime situation.
The ministry stressed that vessels, equipment, and any other assets belonging to the aggressor parties — namely the United States and the “Zionist regime” — as well as other participants in the aggression, do not qualify as engaging in normal or non-hostile passage and will be dealt with in accordance with the legal conditions arising from the armed conflict and the decisions and measures adopted by Iran’s competent authorities.
It said non-hostile vessels, or those belonging to or associated with other countries, may benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the relevant Iranian authorities, provided that they are not involved in or cooperating with aggressive operations against Iran and that they comply with the announced safety and security regulations and measures.
The statement also said that responsibility for any disruption, insecurity, or heightened danger in the waterway and its surrounding region lies directly with the United States and Israel, which, by imposing what Tehran called an illegal and criminal war on Iran, have placed regional stability as well as the safety and security of international shipping under an unprecedented threat.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that any arrangements, initiatives, or mechanisms related to maritime safety and shipping security in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman must fully respect the rights and interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, be coordinated with the country’s competent authorities, and take into account the realities created by the aggression and the state of conflict.
The ministry concluded by saying that the full restoration of security and lasting stability in the Strait of Hormuz requires an end to military aggression and threats, a halt to destabilizing actions by the United States and Israel, and full respect for Iran’s legitimate interests.
MNA