Middle East Crisis: 'India, friendly nations won't face blockade as Hormuz open for them', says Iran
Middle East Crisis: Amid escalating Middle East conflict, Iran has announced that key waterway Strait of Hormuz will be blocked for vessels belonging to five friendly nations including India. Other than India, ships from Russia, China, Pakistan, and Iraq have been allowed safe passage through the conflict-torn chokepoint.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said that the Strait of Hormuz is still not completely closed asserting that no ships belonging to enemy nations (the US, Israel, and countries helping them in the Middle East war) would be allowed to pass through Hormuz.
"Many of the shipowners, or the countries that own these vessels, have contacted us and requested that we ensure their safe passage through the strait. For some of these countries that we consider friendly, or in cases where we have decided to do so for other reasons, our armed forces have provided safe passage. You have seen on the news: China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, and India. Two of its ships passed through a few nights ago, and some other countries, and even Bangladesh, I believe. These are countries that spoke with us and coordinated with us, and this will continue in the future as well, even after the war."
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi also expressed his ssatisfaction over the iran's stronghold on the Strait of Hormuz for almost five decades. He said that when Iran announced the partial blockade, many in the world did not believe it and thought it was a bluff. However, with time, Iran showed its strength and authority over the Strait of Hormuz.
"They thought Iran did not have the courage to do such a thing. But we did it with strength. They mobilised all their abilities to stop it, but they failed. They even turned to other countries. They even appealed to those they themselves consider enemies, asking them to come and help reopen this waterway. But no one responded, because it is simply not feasible," Araghchi mentioned.
- PTC NEWS
