The Embassy of Iran in Nairobi has said maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains open, while warning that vessels linked to what it described as “aggression” against the country may face restrictions under wartime conditions.
In a statement issued Friday, Iran said the strategic waterway — a critical global oil shipping route — “has not been suspended or closed” and continues to operate, subject to security measures arising from the current conflict in the region.
The embassy attributed growing instability in the Strait to what it called “illegal military aggression” by the United States and Israel, alleging that the actions, supported by unnamed third parties, violate international law and are undermining maritime safety and global shipping.
“Iran… has always respected the principle of freedom of navigation and the safety and security of maritime traffic,” the statement said, adding that the country remains committed to facilitating legitimate maritime commerce across key waterways, including the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
However, Tehran drew a distinction between neutral and non-neutral actors, stating that vessels belonging to or supporting the United States and Israel “do not possess the character of normal, non-belligerent transit” and would be subject to measures determined by Iranian authorities.
The statement outlined conditions for safe passage through the Strait, noting that non-belligerent vessels may transit freely if they do not support actions against Iran, comply with security protocols, and coordinate with Iranian authorities in advance.
Iran also rejected reports suggesting the Strait had been closed, describing such claims as “false” and part of a broader effort to mislead the public. It argued that narratives linking disruptions in the waterway to Iran were intended to shift responsibility away from what it called the “culprits and aggressors.”
The embassy added that any disruption to maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas “lies directly” with the United States and Israel, accusing both countries of placing regional stability and international shipping at risk.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, with a significant share of global oil shipments passing through it daily. Any escalation in the region has immediate implications for global energy markets and trade flows.