Iran says safe transit of Strait of Hormuz will be possible with US ending threats

The statement, Iran’s first response to the suspension, did not specify what the new procedures entailed and thanked ship owners and captains for respecting Iranian regulations when navigating the waterway.

“We thank captains and shipowners in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman for adhering to Iran’s Strait of Hormuz rules and contributing to regional maritime security,” the Navy said on X.

“With the aggressor threats neutralized and new protocols in place, safe, stable passage through SOH will be assured.”

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) he has halted efforts to escort stranded commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz to strike a deal with Iran to end the war. He said the US blockade of Iranian ports would continue.

In a post on Truth Social, he said the decision was made “based on the request of Pakistan and other countries, the tremendous military success we have had” and progress toward a final agreement.

Early on Wednesday (just before 10pm AEST), he threatened Iran with resumed and intensified bombing if the country did not agree.

“Assuming Iran agrees to give what was agreed, which may be a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will come to an end and the highly effective blockade will ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is OPEN to all, including Iran,” he said.

“If they don’t agree, the bombing will begin, and unfortunately it will be at a much higher level and intensity than before.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment with further details.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that major US military operations against Iran are over and that Iran must agree to US demands regarding its nuclear program and reopen the strait, a waterway vital to global oil and gas supplies.

Rubio said the recent clashes with Iran over U.S. efforts to reopen the strait were “defensive in nature.”

Only two ships were known to have passed through the strait under what Trump called “Project Freedom.”

– Reported by Reuters and Associated Press