Arabic version: إيران تسمح للسفن اليابانية بالعبور عبر مضيق هرمز
Iran says it will allow Japanese ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, in the latest sign that Tehran has started pursuing a selective blockade of the strategic waterway. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, “We have not closed the strait. In our opinion, the strait is open. It is closed only to ships belonging to our enemies, countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through the strait,” according to Al Jazeera.
Japan sources more than 90 percent of its crude oil imports from the Middle East and is heavily dependent on exports transiting the strait, but the waterway has been de facto closed since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Initially, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that its forces would set “ablaze” any ships trying to transit the waterway, bringing marine traffic to a near standstill.
In recent days, however, Iran has toned down the rhetoric to say the strait is only closed to Tehran’s enemies. Araghchi emphasized Iran’s willingness to facilitate safe transit for Japanese vessels, stating that discussions can be held to ensure a secure route.
Japan may soon join the small cohort of countries – mainly China, India, and Pakistan – whose vessels have been allowed to transit the waterway in recent days, with approval from Iranian authorities. Reports indicate that a new route, described as a “safe corridor,” is emerging for maritime traffic, with vessels navigating close to Iran’s coastline. Shipping services have been adapting, with some vessels successfully transiting while broadcasting messages indicating their cargo.
As the war on Iran hits three weeks, several countries, including Japan, have expressed concerns about the safety of their vessels in the Gulf. A joint statement from Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom highlighted their readiness to support efforts for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, countries like Iraq, Malaysia, China, India, and Pakistan have reportedly held direct talks with Tehran to discuss the matter.
