Amid rising tensions in West Asia, Iran’s ambassador to India said Tehran will ensure safe passage for Indian interests in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, even as the conflict in the region enters its 14th day on Friday.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Mohammad Fatehli said India remains a reliable partner of Iran and Iranian ships will not face difficulties in the vital shipping lane. Track live updates of the war between the US, Israel and Iran
“…Yes, because India is our friend. You will see that in two or three hours. We believe that Iran and India have common interests in the region,” ANI quoted him as saying at 6:35 pm EST.
These statements come with increasing concerns about the disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large portion of global oil shipments pass.
The strait remains open, says Iran’s representative
Meanwhile, Abdul Majeed Hakim Elahi, the Iranian Supreme Leader’s representative in India, claimed that the waterway has not been officially closed, even though the ongoing conflict has created operational difficulties for commercial ships.
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“Iran has not closed the strait. It is still open. But due to the current conditions and circumstances, ships are not able to pass through Hormuz. Other than that, Iran has never wanted to close or close the strait. Some (ships) are still passing through it,” he told reporters in Delhi.
He also urged world leaders to intervene and press for an end to the conflict.
The agency quoted Elahi as saying, “Those who started this war are the ones who must stop it… Many people around the world are suffering because of this war. World leaders must unite and put pressure on the President of the United States, urging him to put an immediate end to this unjust war.”
He also insisted that Iran was not the one who started the conflict, and said that Tehran was seeking diplomatic engagement with Washington before the escalation.
“Iran did not start this war. Iran was engaged in negotiations with the United States and was also seeking diplomatic efforts… Suddenly, the United States, along with the Zionist regime, attacked Iran, and they targeted many civilians in Iran. We will win this war, and we are ready to sacrifice everything we have for the sake of our dignity and our land,” Elahi told reporters in Delhi.
The United States says it is “dealing” with the escalation in Hormuz
The United States rejected concerns about the threat of a blockade in the waterway. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, during a press conference at the Pentagon, that Washington is ready to maintain freedom of navigation in the strait.
“As the world sees it, they are practicing absolute desperation in the Strait of Hormuz — and it’s something we’re dealing with; we’ve been dealing with it. We don’t have to worry about it.”
Hegseth also blamed Iran for disrupting shipping traffic.
“The only thing preventing passage through the strait now is Iran shooting at ships.”
These statements come with the escalation of maritime tensions in the Gulf region. A Reuters report earlier stated that Iranian boats loaded with explosives apparently attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them on fire and killing a crew member.
The report added that projectiles hit four ships across the Gulf waters, bringing the total number of ships struck in the region since the start of the conflict to at least 16. The attacks on ships linked to the United States and Europe represent a sharp escalation in the maritime dimension of the conflict.
The new Iranian leader calls for the continuation of the blockade
These statements came after Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first speech after assuming leadership, called for continuing to use the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a means of strategic pressure.
“Fighting brothers! It is the desire of the masses of people to continue effective and remorseful defense. Moreover, the influence of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used.”
The new Iranian leader also vowed to avenge the killing of his father and others killed in US-Israeli strikes.
