Iran Eases Restrictions on Iraqi Vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Tehran. Iran has granted permission for Iraqi vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. This move signals a slight relaxation of the strict controls Iran has imposed on this waterway, which is considered vital to global energy supplies.

 A statement issued by Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters on Saturday announced that Iraq has been exempted from all restrictions. It further stated that these restrictions apply only to hostile nations.

“We deeply respect Iraq's national sovereignty. You are a nation that has suffered the pain of American occupation, and your struggle against America is commendable,” the statement said. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump had warned Iran to reach an agreement or face severe consequences within 48 hours, urging them to relinquish control over the waterway. However, the Iranian military command dismissed Trump's warning as a “desperate, unbalanced, and foolish move.”

Since the U.S. and Israel began their war against Iran on February 28, Iran has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which approximately 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes. While data shows that vessel traffic has increased slightly under the informal fee system implemented by Iran in recent weeks, it remains more than 90 percent below normal levels.

According to vessel tracking data, 53 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz last week, the highest number since the war began. In the previous week, only 36 ships had exited through this route. On Friday, a French container ship and a Japanese tanker also crossed the strait for the first time. The near-stoppage of shipping in this waterway has had a major impact on global energy markets. Fuel