New York: The Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York announced on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, that it will permit the transit of “non-hostile vessels” through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, provided they adhere to strict new oversight. According to a statement shared on X, vessels belonging to or associated with other states may benefit from safe passage as long as they do not participate in or support military aggression against Iran. This permission is further contingent upon full compliance with safety regulations and mandatory coordination with competent Iranian authorities, a move that effectively asserts Tehran’s control over the world’s most critical oil chokepoint.
The Iranian Defence Council clarified that this new “coordination” requirement is a direct response to what it describes as ongoing military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory. State broadcaster Press TV reported that the Council issued a stern warning to the international community, declaring that any further attacks on Iran’s power plants or energy infrastructure would trigger an immediate and “destructive response” from the Iranian Armed Forces. The Strait of Hormuz remains the primary artery for global energy, wide enough to accommodate the world’s largest crude oil tankers, making any shift in its transit protocols a matter of extreme concern for global markets.
In sharp contrast to Tehran’s assertions of defensive control, US President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the United States has effectively won the conflict. Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for the Secretary of Homeland Security, Trump claimed that Iran’s navy, air force, and primary communication networks have been “completely decimated” over the four-week campaign. The President suggested that the military degradation has forced Tehran to seek a diplomatic exit, stating that negotiations are currently underway because “pretty much everything they have is gone.” Despite the President’s claims of total victory, the Iranian mission’s announcement suggests a continued intent to leverage its geographic position to influence maritime security in the Persian Gulf.
