Iran Denies Reports of Closing Strait of Hormuz, Says Maritime Traffic Continues
TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denied reports claiming that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed, stating that commercial shipping traffic through the strategic waterway remains uninterrupted.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, reports suggesting the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are inaccurate and merchant vessels continue to pass through the route normally.
The clarification came after a report by a U.S. newspaper alleged that Iran had shut down the strait instead of sending a delegation to Switzerland for nuclear negotiations. The report claimed that the move was linked to Israel’s refusal to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon and the continued presence of U.S. troops in the region.
The report further cited a statement attributed to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), alleging that Washington had violated a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed earlier between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The statement reportedly warned that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until certain conditions were met.
However, Iranian authorities have officially rejected claims that the waterway has been shut and emphasized that maritime trade and shipping operations are proceeding as usual.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said in a statement on social media platform X that he remains committed to implementing the directives of Iran’s Supreme Leadership and ensuring full compliance with any agreements reached.
Ghalibaf added that President Masoud Pezeshkian has made it clear that Iran will not accept any extraordinary or additional conditions imposed by the United States. He warned that if the other side deviates from agreed commitments or presents what Iran considers unreasonable demands, Tehran would respond firmly.
Referring to recent tensions between Iran and the United States, Ghalibaf asserted that Iran had already demonstrated its capabilities and would deliver an even stronger response if confronted with similar challenges in the future.
