Tehran vows to continue blocking passage through the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for oil transportation, for countries it deems its “enemies.” The list of “friends” is short.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi / © Associated Press
Iran has opened the Strait of Hormuz, vital for oil transport, for navigation, but only for “friendly” nations, including China and Russia.
This was announced by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as cited by Clash Report.
“We have allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz for some countries we consider friends. We have permitted passage for China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan,” stated the head of the Iranian foreign ministry.
Araghchi added that Tehran sees no reason “to allow our enemy to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”
“The enemy must learn a lesson so as never to dare to attack again,” he emphasized.
Blocking of the Strait of Hormuz – Latest News
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington might strike Iran’s energy infrastructure if Tehran does not unblock the Strait of Hormuz soon.
Russia’s oil export revenues have surged and have already returned to their March 2022 levels. This trend is linked to the easing of U.S. sanctions, as well as the rise in global energy prices amid the tense situation in the Middle East and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iran has introduced a practice of levying charges on certain vessels for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian side demands up to $2 million per voyage. In this way, an unofficial transit fee for the strategic oil transport route is effectively being formed.
According to Tehran’s representative at the International Maritime Organization, Ali Mousavi, passage through the strategically important artery is permitted only upon “agreement on security measures” with the Iranian side.
Source: tsn.ua