Ziggy Ojiegbe

Iran is ready to cooperate with the International Maritime Organization to improve maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf, walking back from confrontation with the United States of America which gave 48 hours for the waterway to be open or have Iran’s energy infrastructure leveled out.

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The Iranian representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ali Mousavi, is quoted in a report by the official Mehr news agency on Sunday as saying that ships not belonging to enemies of Iran would now pass through the Strait of Hormuz under security and safety arrangements with Tehran.

Mousavi said vessels linked to “Iran’s enemies,” would not be allowed passage through the narrow waterway.

Iran had earlier declared that the Strait of Hormuz with is crucial to oil and other exports would be “completely closed” immediately if the U.S. follows up on President Donald Trump’s threat to attack its power plants.

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS,” President Trump wrote on his Truth Social on Saturday evening.

In a changing tone, Mousavi stated on Sunday that “Diplomacy remains Iran’s priority. However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important.”

He added that Israeli and US attacks against Iran were at the “root of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

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