Iran: Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz for Non-Hostile Vessels
Iran announced Tuesday that “non-hostile” vessels could transit the Strait of Hormuz, provided they adhere to safety and security regulations, according to a statement transmitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
“Non-hostile vessels […] may – on the condition that they do not participate in any acts of aggression against Iran or support them and fully comply with the prevailing safety and security regulations – benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with competent authorities,” the statement reads.
The IMO confirmed the document, dated Sunday, was issued by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a request for dissemination. The organization has communicated it to its member states and NGOs, according to the IMO.
“Illegal War”
The statement emphasizes that “any asset belonging to aggressors – namely the United States and the Israeli regime – as well as other participants in the aggression, cannot claim peaceful or non-hostile passage.”
It specifies that responsibility for “any disruption, insecurity, or escalation of risks in this vital maritime route” lies with the United States and Israel, accused of waging an “illegal and destabilizing war against Iran.”
According to the statement, these two countries have “endangered regional peace and stability and exposed international maritime transport to unprecedented threats.”
Iran has effectively curtailed passage through the strategically important strait since the U.S.-Israeli strikes of February 28th, which triggered escalating regional tensions and a surge in global oil and gas prices. The strikes, conducted in response to attacks by Iranian-backed groups, targeted facilities in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, according to U.S. Central Command.
The Iranian statement does not detail specific coordination mechanisms with “competent authorities” for vessels seeking safe passage, nor does it define the criteria for determining a vessel’s “hostile” status. The announcement follows a period of heightened maritime security concerns in the region, with several incidents involving commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz reported in recent weeks.
The IMO has not yet issued a formal response to the Iranian announcement, and it remains unclear how member states will interpret and implement the new guidelines. Shipping companies and maritime insurers are reportedly assessing the implications of the statement for their operations in the Persian Gulf.