New Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s deputy in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, said Tehran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz, although current conditions restrict ship movements in the vital energy corridor.
Ilahi emphasized that Iran never intended to block the strategic waterway, but acknowledged that tensions in the region have affected maritime traffic.
“Iran has not closed the strait. It remains open; however, due to the current conditions and circumstances, ships are unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Otherwise, Iran never wanted the strait to be closed or blocked. Some (ships) are still passing through,” Ilahi said, according to ANI.
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It calls for global pressure on the US
Ilahi also called on world leaders to intervene and pressure the United States to end the ongoing conflict with Iran.
“Those who initiated this war are the ones who must stop it… Many people around the world are suffering because of this war. World leaders must unite and put pressure on the president of the United States and urge him to immediately stop this unjust war,” he said, according to Reuters.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions in West Asia involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Iran’s UN envoy said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open
Ilahi’s comments also come a day after Iran’s UN ambassador said Tehran has no plans to close the Strait of Hormuz but insists it has the right to protect the safety of the waterway.
Amir Saeid Iravani, when asked about remarks by Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who said “the lever to block the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used.”
“We are not going to close the Strait of Hormuz,” Iravani said. “But it is our natural right to maintain peace and security in this waterway.
Iravani said that “Iran fully respects and remains committed to the principle of freedom of navigation under the law of the sea.
“However, the current situation in the region, including the Strait of Hormuz, is not the result of Iran’s lawful exercise of its right to self-defense. Rather, it is a direct result of the destabilizing actions of the United States in launching aggression against Iran and undermining regional security.”
Tensions and disruptions to maritime transport
The Strait of Hormuz has been at the center of heightened geopolitical tension since the end of February following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory, which escalated into a wider conflict. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began warning vessels that the passage would not be “unauthorized”, prompting shipping companies to avoid the route.
While Iran’s government says the waterway is technically open, industry and maritime sources say security cannot be guaranteed and many commercial ships have stayed away. Satellite tracking data showed a sharp drop in ship transits earlier this month as insurers classified the area as a serious war risk and carriers delayed or rerouted voyages.
International and economic impact
The Strait of Hormuz carries an estimated 20% of global oil and gas flows by sea, meaning a long-term disruption has serious implications for global energy markets and supply chains. Several major carriers have suspended sailings through the region, adding to the volatility in freight and commodity markets.
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