Iran says Strait of Hormuz ‘open,’ but ships fear passage

Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday said that the Strait of Hormuz is open, but ships fear passage over a US-Israeli offensive against Tehran, Anadolu reports. “Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated—not Iran,” Abbas Araghchi said on US social media company X. “No insurer—and no Iranian—will be swayed by more threats. Try respect,” he added. “Freedom of Navigation cannot exist without Freedom of Trade. Respect both—or expect neither.” In a statement released on X, the Iranian Foreign Ministry also said the Strait of Hormuz is “not blocked.” However, it added that the vessels “belonging to the aggressor parties cannot be considered as normal and non-hostile passage, and will be dealt […]