Iran explains the principles of passage in the Strait of Hormuz

Xinhua News Agency, Tehran, March 22nd (Reporter Shadati, Yin Hei) - The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the 22nd, stating that the Strait of Hormuz is not blocked and ships can still continue to navigate through the waterway by taking necessary measures in compliance with the situation of war. At the same time, the statement outlined Iran's principles on the navigation and safety of the Hormuz Strait. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in the declaration that after the United States and Israel launched military aggression against Iran, the situation in the Persian Gulf and the Hormuz Strait became dangerous, directly affecting regional shipping and navigation safety. In order to exercise its legitimate right to self-defense, Iran has taken a series of measures to ensure that aggressors and their supporters do not misuse the Hormuz Strait to advance their aggressive goals. The statement said that ships belonging to the United States, Israel, and other participating aggressor countries do not meet the conditions for normal and non-hostile passage, and Iran will handle them according to law. Ships belonging to other countries or related to them that are not hostile, as long as they are not involved in or cooperate with aggression against Iran, and comply with the safety regulations and measures announced by Iran, can safely pass through the Hormuz Strait after coordinating with Iran's competent authorities. The statement emphasized that in order to fully restore the sustainable security and stability of the Hormuz Strait, military aggression and threats against Iran must stop, actions by the United States and Israel that undermine Iran's stability must cease, and Iran's legitimate interests must be fully respected. Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif elaborated on these principles through social media on the same day. He also emphasized that Iran will not succumb to threats, stating, "Respect is better than threat. Without free trade, there is no freedom of navigation." US President Trump threatened Iran on social media on the evening of the 21st, demanding that Iran open the Hormuz Strait within 48 hours or else he would destroy "all kinds of power plants" in Iran. This article is reprinted from "Xinhuanet Co., Ltd." Editor: Feng Qiuyi.