The Strait of Hormuz is open for merchant shipping, with possible technical restrictions due to mines, but there is no blockade and there will not be one, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has said.
"There is no uncertainty for us on this issue. I cannot speak for the other side, whose policy may be aimed at confusing everyone. The Strait of Hormuz is open for the passage of commercial ships. Of course, this applies to the period after the ceasefire. There may be a number of technical restrictions due to mines and security issues," Khatibzadeh said in an interview with the NTV broadcaster.
There is no blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, he added.
"I will tell you even more - there will be no such blockade," the minister said.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran's army command announced that the Iranian armed forces have restored military control over the Strait of Hormuz due to the US blockade.
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Merchant vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday received radio messages from Iran’s navy telling them they were not allowed to pass, while two ships reported being hit by gunfire, shipping sources said.
ReplyDeleteSeveral commercial vessels tried to transit the strait after receiving a notice to mariners a day earlier saying passage would be allowed but restricted to lanes Iran deemed safe.