Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz is open to all ships that are not linked to “Iran’s enemies”, but have threatened to close the waterway entirely if the United States targets Iranian power plants.
Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organization Ali Mousavi said that ships from countries other than the U.S. and Israel could pass through the strait by coordinating safety measures with Iran’s government, with Iran also saying it was prepared to allow Japanese ships to transit.
U.S. President Donald Trump later wrote on social media that Iran had 48 hours to fully reopen the strait or the U.S. would destroy its power facilities, “starting with the biggest one first”.
“If the United States' threats regarding Iran's power plants are carried out,” said Iran’s joint military command Khatam al-Anbiya, “the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed, and it will not be reopened until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt.”
After Trump’s threat, Iran also said it would target U.S. energy and desalination infrastructure in the region.
Iran and Japan have been negotiating to allow Japanese ships through the strait, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said over the weekend.
Ships from countries including China, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Iraq have passed through the Strait with Iran’s approval.
Iran is also charging transit fees of as much as US$2 million on some foreign ships using the strait, one Iranian lawmaker said.
