Strait of Hormuz Open—But Not for “Iran’s Enemies,” Tehran Warns Amid Rising Tensions

March 23, 2026

New Delhi: Iran has stated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain accessible to global shipping—except for vessels associated with what it calls “Iran’s enemies.” According to Iranian media, this position was outlined by Ali Mousavi, Iran’s representative to the U.N.’s maritime agency, in a recent interview.

Tensions Escalate After U.S. Warning

Mousavi’s remarks came before U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum, threatening to strike Iranian power facilities if the strait was not kept fully open within 48 hours. Ongoing tensions linked to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran have already discouraged many ships from passing through the narrow waterway.

Global Energy Supply at Risk

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for nearly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions in this region could trigger a significant global energy crisis. Despite the tensions, Mousavi emphasized Iran’s willingness to work with the International Maritime Organization to ensure maritime safety, adding that non-hostile vessels could pass through the strait by coordinating with Iranian authorities. He also reiterated that diplomacy remains Iran’s priority, while blaming U.S. and Israeli actions for the current instability.

توهم حذف ایران از نقشه، نشان‌دهنده استیصال و درماندگی در مقابل اراده یک ملت تاریخ‌ساز است. تهدید و ترور مردم ایران را منسجم‌تر می‌کند. تنگه هرمز برای کشتی‌های همه کشورها به جز متجاوزین به خاک ایران باز است.
پاسخ پریشان گویی و تهدیدهای بی‌محابا را قاطعانه در میدان می‌دهیم. https://t.co/28bDMJggdB

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 22, 2026