The Strait of Hormuz is open, but not to “enemy” ships. Iran's message after Trump's ultimatum
The Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping, except for ships associated with “enemies of Iran”, Tehran's representative to the UN maritime agency said on Sunday, after US President Donald Trump threatened to target Iran's power plants if the route is not “fully open” within 48 hours.
Ali Mousavi said Tehran is ready to cooperate with the International Maritime Organization to improve navigation safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf. He added that ships not associated with “enemies of Iran” can cross the strait if they coordinate their security and safety measures with Iranian authorities.
“Diplomacy remains Iran's priority. However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust are even more important,” Mousavi said, adding that Israel and the United States' attacks against Iran are “at the root of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Saturday night to fully reopen the sea route through which about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas transits. Otherwise, the United States will strike Iran's energy infrastructure.
“If Iran does not TOTALLY reopen, WITHOUT ANY THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz within 48 HOURS from this precise moment, the United States of America will strike and destroy its various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE!”, the US leader said Saturday evening, in a message posted on his Truth Social platform.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform at 23:44 GMT on March 21, which means Iran has until 23:44 GMT on March 23 (01:44 Romanian time on March 24 and 03:14 in Tehran) to comply with the US president's request.
Iran's military responded on Sunday, announcing it would target energy infrastructure and desalination plants in the region if Donald Trump followed through on his threat to destroy the country's power plants.
