Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News that the country has closed the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz only to its enemies, allowing passage for vessels from other nations. He said, “We have not closed the strait. In our opinion, the strait is open. It is closed only to ships belonging to our enemies, countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through the strait.”

Araghchi added that Iran is in talks with Japan to discuss safe routes and is prepared to provide safe passage. Japan sources over 90% of its crude oil imports from the Middle East and is heavily reliant on the strait, but the waterway has been de facto closed since the United States and Israeli regime attacked Iran on February 28.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned in the early days of the war that its forces would set “ablaze” any ships attempting to transit the strait, bringing marine traffic to a near standstill. However, over the past week, Iran has toned down the rhetoric, asserting that the strait is only closed to Tehran’s enemies.

According to a report by shipping information service Lloyd’s List, 10 ships have transited the strait by sailing close to Iran’s coastline, forming an emerging “safe corridor” for shipping. A Greek bulk carrier recently passed near Iran’s Larak island, broadcasting the message “Cargo Food for Iran.”

The IRGC is reportedly developing a more coordinated vetting and registration system for vessels. As the war on Iran enters its third week, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement expressing readiness to contribute to safe passage efforts. Iraq, Malaysia, China, India, and Pakistan have also reportedly held direct talks with Tehran on the matter.

Source: www.aljazeera.com