Ray Of Hope For India As Iran Says Strait Of Hormuz Closed Only For US, Israel, Europe

New Delhi: There is a ray of hope for India as the Middle East War rages between Israel, the US and Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has stated that only vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies will be prevented from using the Strait of Hormuz.

The Revolutionary Guards made this announcement on Thursday through Iran's state broadcaster IRIB. This statement follows days of uncertainty over one of the world's busiest shipping passages, which has seen almost all commercial traffic halt since the outbreak of hostilities between the US, Israel and Iran in the Middle East.

What has Iran said about Strait of Hormuz?

Amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a major and strict announcement. However, this announcement is considered good news from India's perspective. Iran states that the Strait of Hormuz is now completely closed only to ships from the United States, Israel, Europe, and their Western allies. This announcement was made on Thursday through Iran's state broadcaster, IRIB.

The IRGC clearly warned that any ship from the United States, Israel, Europe, or their allied countries attempting to pass through this vital waterway will be attacked and destroyed. Earlier on Wednesday, the IRGC had stated that the Strait of Hormuz is not closed only to China. The new announcement now makes it clear that India is also exempt from this restriction and will also receive oil.

Iranian officials stated that, in accordance with international law and relevant resolutions, the Islamic Republic of Iran has the full right to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz during wartime. The IRGC reiterated that it has previously stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has the right to control the Strait in times of war. This announcement comes after the US and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran on Saturday, which virtually closed the Strait. This action has led to a sharp surge in global oil prices and a severe crisis in global energy supplies.

What has Iran said about China?

Earlier on Wednesday, Iran made another significant decision asserting that only Chinese-flagged ships will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials saw this as a gesture of gratitude for Beijing's support and sympathetic stance toward Tehran during the war. The Strait of Hormuz carries approximately one-fifth (20%) of the world's total maritime oil shipments, making it crucial for global energy security. It is the sole access route to Persian Gulf ports, including Dubai's Jebel Ali Port, the world's tenth-largest container terminal.

Iran has closed this waterway since the conflict began. Live data on maritime tracking websites clearly shows that hundreds of tankers and other vessels are anchored in the north near Kuwait and off the coast of Dubai. Iran's own fleet is also stationed near Bandar Abbas port at the eastern end of the strait.

Experts believe that a complete blockade will not directly impact the main Asia-Europe sea routes, but will severely strain Gulf trade and oil and gas supplies. This is the first time in history that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to commercial vessels in this manner. Even during the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988, traffic continued despite attacks on oil tankers.