Iran Confirms Strait of Hormuz Remains Open Amid Tensions

The Iran Foreign Ministry issued a statement asserting that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for maritime traffic, countering claims made by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC had accused the United States of violating a memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday between the US and Iran, which included conditions such as the complete withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon and the lifting of the US naval blockade in the Persian Gulf.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesman indicated that the strait would remain open until these conditions are fulfilled, while also advising vessels to avoid the strategic waterway for safety reasons. The statement, published by Tasnim News Agency, followed concerns over global oil supply and maritime trade, given the strait's significance for crude oil shipments.

The memorandum of understanding signed earlier that week stipulated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open for 60 days while negotiations for a long-term maritime access arrangement continued.