Iran says Hormuz Strait remains open under naval coordination rules

Thursday 14 - 14:18

By: Dakir Madiha

Iran says Hormuz Strait remains open under naval coordination rules

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all commercial shipping provided vessels coordinate with Iranian naval forces before transit. The comments were delivered on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi as tensions continue over the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Speaking before the summit, Araghchi said Iran had not obstructed maritime traffic and blamed Washington for disruptions in the strategic waterway. He stated that commercial vessels could continue operating normally if they followed designated routes and cooperated with Iranian naval authorities. Tehran has maintained a similar position since April 2026, insisting that the strait remains accessible under Iranian coordination procedures.

Iranian judicial officials also defended the legality of ship seizures carried out in recent months. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said vessels accused of violating Iranian law were detained under court orders based on domestic legislation and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Since the conflict escalated in late February, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has seized multiple ships in the region, including the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas during April operations.

According to maritime analysts, Iranian forces have expanded the operational zone they consider part of Hormuz security enforcement, stretching from the coast of Jask to Siri Island. The White House previously stated that Iran’s seizures did not violate the existing ceasefire framework because the targeted vessels were neither American nor Israeli.

The two day BRICS meeting in New Delhi highlighted growing divisions inside the expanded bloc over the Middle East conflict. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stressed that safe and uninterrupted maritime flows through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea are essential for global economic stability. He also criticized the increasing use of unilateral sanctions and coercive measures that conflict with international law and the United Nations Charter.

The conflict has continued to disrupt global energy markets. Oil prices climbed above $100 per barrel earlier this year as shipping and production across the Gulf region faced repeated interruptions. Analysts warned that any further escalation around the Strait of Hormuz could push crude prices beyond $120 per barrel. For BRICS members, including United Arab Emirates and Iran, the war has complicated efforts to reach a unified diplomatic position on the crisis.