Middle East War: Softening its stance on allowing passage to ships through Strait of Hormuz, Iran has said that the global oil chokepoint remains open to all shipping except that of its “enemies”. The statement comes after Trump issued 48-hour ultimatum to Tehran over the waterway blockade.
Iran offers cooperation to boost maritime safety
Iran is ready to cooperate with the International Maritime Organisation to improve maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf, the Iranian representative to the UN maritime agency said, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.
‘Hormuz open to all except enemies’
Ali Mousavi, the Iranian representative to the International Maritime Organisation, said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to “Iran’s enemies”, adding that passage through the narrow waterway was possible by coordinating security and safety arrangements with Tehran.
“Diplomacy remains Iran’s priority. However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important,” Mousavi said, adding that Israeli and US attacks against Iran were at the “root of current situation in Strait of Hormuz”.
Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum
Escalating his administration’s military posture, United States President Donald Trump had earlier issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, threatening attacks on the country’s power infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz without conditions.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said: “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”
US-Israel-Iran War
More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran since the US and Israel began their attacks. In Israel, 15 people have been killed in Iranian strikes since the war started.
Late on Saturday, Iranian missiles hit the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, injuring dozens of people, including children, in separate strikes. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement early Sunday that they targeted “military installations” and security centers in southern Israel.
Israeli army spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said in a post on X that the country’s air defences were functioning but did not intercept the strikes. “We will investigate the incident and learn from it,” he said.
Israel’s secretive nuclear reactor is about 13 kilometers southeast of Dimona. Both cities lie near several military sites, including Nevatim Air Base, one of the country’s largest. “This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office following the strike on Arad.
“We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts,” the statement said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
