Iran says Strait of Hormuz remains open, no plans to shut it until further notice

Tehran: Amidst the increasing tension between America, Israel and Iran, Iran has clarified that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz has not been closed at present and “there are no plans to close it until further notice.” Iranian officials said that many reports spreading about this waterway are misleading and the situation is being monitored.

What did Iranian officials say?

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has clearly said that at present the Strait of Hormuz has not been closed. He says that no decision has been taken yet to close it. He also added that if any such step is taken in future, its information will be given officially. Also, Iran has termed many of the news going on on this issue as wrong and misleading.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?

The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most important maritime trade routes in the world. This narrow route connecting the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea is very important for global energy supply. It is estimated that about 20 percent of the world's oil and a large amount of natural gas passes through this route, so any kind of military tension here can affect the global energy market.

Why did the fear of closing it increase?

After the recent attacks on Iran by America and Israel, tension in the region increased rapidly. After this, it was feared that Iran might close this important sea route as a retaliatory action. If this had happened, there could have been a major impact on oil supply and there could have been a sharp rise in the prices of crude oil in the global market.

Why is there fear of impact on the global economy?

Experts say that any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has a direct impact on global energy supply. Many big oil producing countries of the Gulf region export oil around the world through this route. In such a situation, if this route is closed, there may be huge fluctuations in the prices of oil and gas in the international market, which may affect the economy of many countries.

At present, after Iran's statement, it has become clear that the Strait of Hormuz is still open, but due to the ongoing tension in the Middle East, the world's eyes remain on this important sea route.