‘The Strait of Hormuz is not open’
April 9 (UPI) — The Strait of Hormuz is not open to traffic despite this week’s ceasefire between the United States and Iran, the head of the United Arab Emirates’ state-owned oil company said on Thursday.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, called on Iran to open the strait “unconditionally”.
“This moment requires clarity,” he said A post on LinkedIn. “So let’s be clear: The Strait of Hormuz is not open. Access is restricted, conditioned and controlled.”
Iran faced a deadline Tuesday evening to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to the United States and its allies. Tehran effectively closed the waterway to traffic after the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
About a fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait, and oil prices have increased globally due to limited access to the waterway. President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum earlier this week, calling on Iran to reopen the strait or face disaster.
Thai-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree burns after being hit by Iranian missiles in Iran’s Strait of Hormuz on March 11. Photo courtesy of Royal Thai Navy/EPA
Iran and the USA reached a two-week agreement ceasefire agreement Less than 2 hours remain until Trump’s deadline for Iran to agree to reopen the strait.
Freight analysts told CNBC There has been no increase in ship traffic in the Bosphorus since the implementation of the ceasefire.
President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing on Iran in the James S. Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday. He threatened that attacks would increase if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening. Photo: Bonnie Cash/UPI
Al Jaber said that ships must obtain permission from Iran before passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“This is not freedom of navigation. This is oppression,” he wrote.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that Iran’s navy still imposes restrictions on traffic in the strait, requiring ships to obtain permits and pay tolls or face attack. BBC reported.
British Defense Minister John Healey said that demanding a toll for passage through the strait, as Trump suggested, would set a dangerous precedent for global shipping. Guard reported.
