2026-04-29T19:57:58+00:00
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Shafaq News- Tehran
Iran on Wednesday rejected criticism from the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, urging its members to rebuild
trust with Tehran and pursue cooperation for the benefit of the region.
In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the closure of the
strategic maritime gateway as an act of self-defense, stressing that the Strait
remains open while noting that countries not involved in “military aggression
against Iran” may transit after coordinating with and obtaining permission from
Iran’s armed forces.
On Tuesday, the GCC called for the immediate restoration of maritime
security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to conditions prior
to February 28, 2026. The bloc also rejected any measures that could disrupt
shipping traffic, including the imposition of transit fees on passing vessels.
The escalation began after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, prompting
Tehran to impose restrictions on US- and Israeli-linked shipping in the
strategic waterway, affecting maritime traffic. Washington later introduced a
naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.