Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all commercial shipping while enemy vessels will be blocked.
The announcement comes during a period of high tension in the region. Because the strait is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, any disruption to maritime traffic can trigger immediate volatility in international oil markets.
Speaking on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in India this week, the foreign minister—also referred to as Araghchi—said Iran maintains a peaceful nuclear stance. He said Iran will engage in joint management of the strait with Oman to facilitate commercial passage.
Global markets responded quickly to the news. Oil prices fell by more than 10% [1] following the statement that commercial traffic could resume.
Despite the diplomatic signal, reports on the ground are mixed. While the foreign minister said the waterway is open, some tracking data shows few ships moving through the area. Other reports indicate Iran has allowed some Chinese ships to pass, suggesting a policy of selective openness.
The statement also clashes with U.S. policy. President Donald Trump said the U.S. blockade on Iranian ships will remain in full force. Iran's foreign minister did not acknowledge the U.S. position, saying instead that only vessels deemed hostile would be denied passage.
This maritime strategy appears intended to reassure regional partners and global markets while maintaining a defensive posture against adversaries. The move coincides with a broader cease-fire arrangement intended to stabilize the region.
“the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all commercial shipping but enemy vessels will be blocked”
The discrepancy between Iran's diplomatic assertions and actual maritime traffic suggests the Strait of Hormuz is being used as a tool for selective leverage. By signaling openness to commercial and Chinese vessels while ignoring U.S. blockade claims, Tehran is attempting to decouple global economic interests from the security standoff with the United States.
