Iran could open the Strait of Hormuz in a limited and controlled way on Thursday or Friday ahead of a meeting between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday.
The Iranian official said that if an understanding on a framework for talks is reached, the critical waterway could be opened in a limited way “under Iran’s control”.
“Coordinating with Iranian military will be mandatory for all ships. Still the ceasefire is fragile, however, we prefer lasting peace but Iran has no fear to return to war if the US wants go the same way,” the official added.
Both Tehran and Washington agreed to a two-week ceasefire barely an hour before US President Donald Trump’s deadline to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges was set to expire.
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Both sides claimed victory when the eleventh-hour truce was announced, though Iran warned the war was not over until formal terms were negotiated. Talks between Tehran and Washington are expected to take place in Pakistan on Friday.
As part of the ceasefire, Iran agreed to allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil that has been largely blocked for weeks, pushing global energy prices higher.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed safe passage for two weeks for ships through the strait, which Tehran sealed off in retaliation for the war, sending global energy prices soaring.
However, the Iranian minister made it clear that the passage through the waterway “will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces”.
On Wednesday, a Greek-owned bulk carrier, NJ Earth, and a Liberia-flagged vessel, Daytona Beach, successfully sailed through the strait, according to maritime monitor Marine Traffic.
“The Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the Strait at 08:44 UTC, while the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach transited earlier at 06:59 UTC, shortly after departing Bandar Abbas at 05:28 UTC”, MarineTraffic said on X.
(With inputs from agencies)
