Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Open to Most Nations but Closed to U.S. and Israeli Ships

Iran has announced that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains open to most international vessels but is closed to ships linked to the United States and Israel, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, made the statement during an interview on MS NOW on Saturday. He said the waterway is accessible to all other countries and emphasized that commercial traffic is still moving through the area.

According to Araghchi, numerous tankers and cargo ships are currently navigating the strait without restriction. However, he acknowledged that some shipping companies are choosing to avoid the route due to security concerns.

The Iranian foreign minister insisted that those concerns are not caused by Iranian actions and maintained that Tehran has not blocked access to the crucial maritime passage for most international vessels.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping corridors, serving as a key route for global oil and gas supplies. A significant portion of the world’s energy exports travels through the narrow waterway each day, making any disruption there a major concern for global markets.

The announcement comes shortly after Donald Trump stated that the United States and several partner nations were considering deploying naval forces to ensure that the strait remains open and secure.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said countries heavily dependent on the route—including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom—could also send naval vessels to help keep the waterway open.

The development highlights the growing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, where even limited restrictions on maritime traffic could have significant consequences for global energy supply chains.

As the standoff continues, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, given the strategic importance of the waterway and the potential for further escalation in the region.