Iran tells UN: ‘Non-hostile’ ships can transit Strait of Hormuz

Summary

• Iran informed the UN that "non-hostile vessels" can pass through the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iranian authorities.
• This follows a US-Israeli war against Iran, disrupting roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquid natural gas shipments.
• Vessels linked to the US, Israel, or those supporting aggression against Iran are not entitled to safe passage.

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UNITED NATIONS, United States - Iran has told the United Nations Security Council and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) that “non-hostile vessels” may transit the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iranian authorities, according to a note seen by Reuters on March 24.

The US-Israeli war against Iran has all but halted shipments of about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas through the strait, causing oil supply disruption.

The note from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was sent to the 15-member Security Council and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on March 22.

It was then circulated on March 24 among the 176 members of the London-based UN shipping agency responsible for regulating the safety and security of international shipping and preventing pollution.

“Non-hostile vessels, including those belonging to or associated with other States, may - provided that they neither participate in nor support acts of aggression against Iran and fully comply with the declared safety and security regulations - benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities,” it read.

Iran has “taken necessary and proportionate measures to prevent the aggressors and their supporters from exploiting the Strait of Hormuz to advance hostile operations against Iran,” the note read, adding vessels, equipment, and any assets belonging to the US or Israel, “as well as other participants in the aggression, do not qualify for innocent or non-hostile passage.”

The Financial Times first reported that the letter had been circulated among IMO member states on March 24. REUTERS