Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi stated in a Saturday interview on MS NOW the only countries prohibited from using the Strait of Hormuz are the United States and Israel.
Iran reacted to Operation Epic Fury by launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at targets located in multiple Middle Eastern countries. Araghchi maintained that the Iranian regime was not targeting ships when asked about reports of attacks by MS NOW host Ayman Mohyeldin.
“Is there any sign that Iran is prepared to allow passage of the Strait of Hormuz? Will the Strait of Hormuz remain closed so long as this war continues?” Mohyeldin asked Araghchi.
“Well, as a matter of fact, the Strait of Hormuz is open,” the foreign minister responded. “It is only closed to the tankers and ships belonging to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass. Of course, many of them prefer not because of their, you know, security concerns.”
“This has nothing to do with us and, at the same time, there are many tankers and ships who are passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” Araghchi continued. “And, and I can say that the Strait is not closed, but it is only closed to American, Israeli, you know, ships and tankers, and not to others.”
At least 16 merchant vessels have been hit by attacks in the Persian Gulf as of Thursday, The New York Times reported.
President Donald Trump said in a Saturday post on Truth Social that multiple countries were sending naval vessels to help escort tankers and other merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Many Countries [sic], especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe,” Trump posted. “We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are.”
“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated,” Trump continued. “In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!”
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