Iran has told the UN maritime agency that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to “non-hostile” ships not associated with the US and Israel. The development comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, which has severely disrupted global energy flows.

Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran had “prevented the transit of vessels belonging to or associated with the aggressor parties and those participating in their acts of aggression.”

The communication, issued by Iran’s foreign ministry, outlines that “vessels, equipment, and any capacities belonging to the aggressor parties, namely the United States and the Zionist regime, as well as other participants in this aggression, do not qualify as normal and non‑hostile passage and will be dealt with in accordance with the legal framework arising from the hostilities, based on the decisions and measures of the competent Iranian authorities.”

“Non‑hostile vessels belonging to or associated with other countries, provided they do not participate or cooperate in the aggressive operations against Iran and comply with the declared safety and security rules and measures, may benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities,” the statement of the Iranian ministry reads.

There is no sign Tehran intends to relinquish its leverage over the waterway, despite threats from US president Donald Trump.

Tehran, however, makes it clear that “any arrangements, initiatives, or mechanisms related to maritime safety and security in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman must be carried out with full respect for the rights and interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities, and taking into account the realities arising from the aggression and the state of hostilities.”

Iran has adopted a “series of measures to ensure that the aggressors and their supporters do not exploit the Strait of Hormuz to advance their aggressive objectives against Iran,” the note read, adding that responsibility for any disruption, insecurity, or increased hazard in this waterway and its surrounding region lies directly with the U.S. and Israel.

The disruption has triggered significant concerns in global markets, contributing to supply shortages and volatility in energy prices. Iran’s latest position signals a conditional reopening of the route, though under strict oversight and with clear exclusions tied to the conflict.

“Freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted flow of energy and goods are vital for global economic stability,” says India’s Permanent Representative of India to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi.

The ambassador has also highlighted the plight of Indian nationals working in the region whose safety and welfare “remains a priority.”

According to the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), some 2,000 ships and 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Gulf.

IMO’s Strait of Hormuz emergency platform indicates 18 attacks on shipping between 1 and 24 March.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk has just described the “chaos” now impacting the Gulf States, more than three weeks after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

At the same time, the threat environment is escalating. U.S. intelligence assessments indicate the presence of Iranian naval mines within the Strait, introducing a persistent and largely invisible risk to maritime operations. While diplomatic signals suggest potential de-escalation, the physical risk to vessels transiting the waterway remains acute.

“U.S. intelligence assessments indicate the deployment of multiple Iranian naval mines within the waterway, including both moored and limpet-style devices designed to evade detection and target passing vessels. These systems rely on magnetic and acoustic triggers, allowing activation without direct contact and significantly increasing the risk to commercial shipping,” Maritime AI™ company Windward warned.

This introduces a persistent sub-surface threat layer to an already constrained operating environment, where vessels are navigating not only geopolitical restrictions, but also potential kinetic hazards embedded within key transit lanes.

US president Trump threatened recently to escalate U.S. attacks on Iran if it has put mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, made the threat but also indicated that the U.S. doesn’t have evidence of such activity.

“If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!,” Trump wrote.

“If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before. If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!” he said.

“Additionally, we are using the same Technology and Missile capabilities deployed against Drug Traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait. They will be dealt with quickly and violently,” the president continued.

Minutes later, Trump said in another post that the U.S. forces destroyed 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow.