Iran has outlined principles for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

March 23, 2026

Xinhuanet

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The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on March 22, detailing its principles for the safety of shipping and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement first pointed out that after the United States and Israel launched military aggression against Iran, the situation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz has become dangerous, and regional shipping security has been directly affected. To that end, Iran, in exercise of its legitimate right of self-defense, has taken a series of measures to prevent the abuse of the waterway by aggressors and their supporters. The statement clarified the differentiated passage policy: ships belonging to the United States, Israel and its allies involved in aggression that do not meet normal passage conditions will be dealt with by Iran in accordance with the law; and non-hostile ships belonging to other countries, as long as they do not participate in aggression against Iran And abide by Iran's announced security regulations, they can pass safely after coordinating with Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghzi further emphasized via social media that Iran will not yield to threats, noting that "without freedom of trade, there is no freedom of navigation". The statement finally emphasized that the prerequisite for the full restoration of sustainable security and stability in the Strait is to stop military aggression and threats against Iran, stop actions that undermine Iran's stability, and fully respect Iran's legitimate interests. This statement is a formal response to US President Trump's threat the day before to "open the strait within 48 hours, otherwise it will destroy Iran's power plant." It demonstrates Iran's tough stance and specific principles on the security of regional waterways.

　　Xinhua News Agency Tehran, March 22 (Reporter Shadati Yin Kan) The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the 22nd, stating that the Strait of Hormuz has not been blocked, and ships can continue to navigate the waterway under the premise of complying with necessary measures taken due to the war situation. At the same time, the statement elaborated on Iran's principled position regarding shipping and navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz.

　　The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated in the statement that after the United States and Israel launched military aggression against Iran, the situation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz became dangerous, and regional shipping and navigation safety were directly affected. To exercise the right to legitimate self-defense, Iran has taken a series of measures to ensure that aggressors and their supporters do not misuse the Strait of Hormuz to advance their aggressive goals.

　　The statement said that ships belonging to the United States, Israel, and other countries involved in aggression do not meet the conditions for normal and non-hostile passage, and Iran will handle them according to law; ships belonging to other countries or associated with them that are non-hostile, as long as they have not participated in or cooperated with aggression actions against Iran and comply with the safety regulations and measures announced by Iran, can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz after coordinating with the Iranian competent authorities.

　　The statement emphasized that to fully restore sustainable security and stability in the Strait of Hormuz, military aggression and threats against Iran must stop, actions by the United States and Israel that undermine Iran's stability must cease, and Iran's legitimate interests must be fully respected.

　　Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi elaborated on the above principles through social media on the same day. He also emphasized that Iran will not succumb to threats, "Rather than threatening, respect. Without trade freedom, there is no navigation freedom."

　　U.S. President Trump posted on social media on the evening of the 21st, threatening Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, or else he would destroy Iran's "various power plants."

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