Iran Grants Strait of Hormuz Passage to Five Friendly Nations, Bans US and Israel

Iran has officially opened the Strait of Hormuz to vessels from five nations it considers friendly, while maintaining a blockade for ships from the United States and Israel. The announcement was made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

"We have allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz to several countries we consider friendly: for example, Russia, India, Iraq, China, and Pakistan," Araghchi stated in an interview with the Al-Alam television channel. "We see no reason to allow our adversaries to use the strait."

The minister emphasized that the strategic waterway is closed exclusively to hostile vessels. "The enemy tried to unblock the strait with the help of other states but was unsuccessful," he added.

This move follows earlier reports suggesting Iran was establishing a paid transit system through the strait for approved carriers. The development also comes amid diplomatic tensions over a proposed peace plan reportedly sent by Washington to Tehran.

One clause of that unpublished plan stipulated that the Strait of Hormuz must remain a zone of free navigation. Iran has rejected these demands as illogical. For its part, the White House has commented that media reports on the plan contain both misinformation and some truthful elements.

Iranian state television has previously broadcast that the country intends to counter aggression until all its demands are met. These reportedly include guarantees against future war, compensation for damages, and control over the Strait of Hormuz.