New Delhi (India) March 26:Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran has allowed the passage of vessels belonging to 'friendly nations,' including India, through the Strait of Hormuz, amidst the rising tension in West Asia. Other than India, safe havens of vessels from Russia, China, Pakistan and Iraq are also being permitted through the conflict-affected maritime chokepoint. 

Friendly Nations Get Safe Passage

Araghchi stated in a dialogue with Iranian state television that the Strait of Hormuz has not been totally closed since vessels from various countries that maintain friendly relations with Iran have been accorded the liberty to navigate the passage.
"Many of the shipowners, or the countries that own these vessels, have contacted us and requested that we ensure their safe passage through the strait. For some of these countries that we consider friendly, or in cases where we have decided to do so for other reasons, our armed forces have provided safe passage," Araghchi said.

"You have seen on the news: China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, and India . Two of its ships passed through a few nights ago, and some other countries, and even Bangladesh, I believe. These are countries that spoke with us and coordinated with us, and this will continue in the future as well, even after the war," he added.

Araghchi: No Entry for US, Israel Ships

Araghchi also added that if vessels were associated with countries identified as enemies or those directly participating in the conflict, they would be denied passage. He specified that ships from the USA, Israel, and some Gulf countries involved in the crisis would not receive permission to pass through the strait.

UN Chief Urges Strait Reopening

Earlier, the Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres had expressed his desire for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
He said, "The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking the movement of oil, gas, & fertilizer at a critical moment in the global planting season. Across the region & beyond, civilians are enduring serious harm & living under profound insecurity. The UN is working to minimise the consequences of the war. And the best way to minimise those consequences is clear: End the war - immediately.”

Global Oil Flow Choked by Conflict

The Strait of Hormuz is among the most vital energy passages globally. Typically, about one fifth of the world's oil passes through this waterway, which is the narrow entrance to the Persian Gulf. However, since the USA and Israel opened hostilities against Iran last month, Iran has been effectively controlling the Strait of Hormuz.