Latest news with #EhsanKhandouzi
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran and Israel trade accusations at UN shipping agency over sea lanes
LONDON - Iran and Israel accused each other of endangering commercial activity in sea lanes around the Gulf and the Red Sea at the UN's shipping agency on Wednesday, as their military conflict escalated. Iran's delegation told a session of the International Maritime Organization's security committee that Israel had in recent days extended its "unlawful attacks" to include petrochemical and gas infrastructure in Asalouyeh along Iran's Gulf coast. "These actions directly endanger international maritime security and the global energy supply chain," Iran said in a statement to IMO delegates, which was livestreamed. "If the international community fails to take urgent and concrete measures to halt this unlawful aggression, the risk of escalation at sea becomes imminent." Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the strait could restrict trade and affect global oil prices. Commercial ships are being advised by maritime agencies to avoid Iran's waters around Hormuz, shipping sources said on Wednesday. Former Iranian Economy Minister Ehsan Khandouzi has said that tankers and liquified natural gas cargoes should only transit the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected Donald Trump's demand for unconditional surrender on Wednesday, and the U.S. president said his patience had run out, though he gave no clue as to what his next step would be. Israel's mission told delegates the IMO's foundational principle of global maritime navigation safety was being "openly and aggressively threatened" by Iran, partly through support of Yemen's Houthi militia, whose attacks have severely disrupted shipping through the Suez Canal and Red Sea in recent years. "Iran has turned our whole region and the Red Sea specifically into a war zone. Through its political, financial and military backing of the Houthi rebels, Iran has enabled a campaign of maritime terrorism against civilian vessels," Israel said. "It seeks to weaponize the world's busiest sea lanes, hold international shipping hostage, and impose its will through violence." The London-based IMO is responsible for regulating the safety and security of international shipping and preventing pollution and comprises 176 member state countries. The statements from Israel and Iran on Wednesday were noted by the Maritime Safety Committee, an IMO spokesperson said. The agency has faced growing pressures that it was becoming politicised. In 2023 Russia said the IMO was departing from its technical role because of "external pressure", which was impacting the fair treatment of all member countries. Iran's offer to host a maritime event in 2023 was rejected after a proposal led by the United States to rescind the bid was approved in a vote. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
TimesLIVE
7 hours ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Former Iranian minister calls for Iranian control over Strait of Hormuz
Former Iranian economy minister Ehsan Khandouzi says tankers and liquefied natural gas cargoes should only transit the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission and the policy should be carried out from 'tomorrow for 100 days'. It was not immediately clear whether Khandouzi was echoing a plan under the Iranian establishment's consideration or sharing his personal opinion. Tehran has long used the threat of blocking the narrow waterway as a means to ward off Western pressure without acting on its threats. The stakes have risen since Israel launched an air war on Iran last week after concluding the latter was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains its nuclear programme is purely for civilian purposes. 'The policy [of controlling maritime transit in the Strait] is decisive if implemented on time. Any delay in carrying it out means prolonging war inside the country,' Khandouzi posted on X on Tuesday. Iran's oil ministry and foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Khandouzi was economy minister until last year in the cabinet of late president Ebrahim Raisi and remains close to the Iranian establishment's hardliners. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and is the primary export route for Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait. About 20% of the world's daily oil consumption — around 18 million barrels — passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is only about 33km wide at its narrowest point.
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Former Iranian minister calls for Iranian control over Strait of Hormuz
Former Iranian minister calls for Iranian control over Strait of Hormuz DUBAI - Former Iranian Economy Minister Ehsan Khandouzi has said that tankers and LNG cargoes should only transit the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission and this policy should be carried out from "tomorrow [Wednesday] for a hundred days." It was not immediately clear whether Khandouzi was echoing a plan under the Iranian establishment's consideration or sharing his personal opinion. Tehran has long used the threat of blocking the narrow waterway as a means to ward off Western pressure, without acting on its threats. The stakes have risen since Israel launched an air war on Iran last week after concluding the latter was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains its nuclear programme is purely for civilian purposes. "This policy [of controlling maritime transit in the Strait]is decisive if implemented on time. Any delay in carrying it out means prolonging war inside the country," Khandouzi posted on X on Tuesday. Iran's Oil Ministry and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Khandouzi was economy minister until the summer of last year in the cabinet of late President Ebrahim Raisi and remains close to the Iranian establishment's hardliners. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and is the primary export route for Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait. About 20% of the world's daily oil consumption — around 18 million barrels — passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is only about 33 km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Al Arabiya
8 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Former Iranian minister calls for Iranian control over Strait of Hormuz
Former Iranian Economy Minister Ehsan Khandouzi has said that tankers and LNG cargoes should only transit the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission and this policy should be carried out from 'tomorrow for a hundred days.' It was not immediately clear whether Khandouzi was echoing a plan under the Iranian establishment's consideration or sharing his personal opinion. Tehran has long used the threat of blocking the narrow waterway as a means to ward off Western pressure, without acting on its threats. The stakes have risen since Israel launched an air war on Iran last week after concluding the latter was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes. 'This policy [of controlling maritime transit in the Strait] is decisive if implemented on time. Any delay in carrying it out means prolonging war inside the country,' Khandouzi posted on X on Tuesday. Iran's Oil Ministry and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Khandouzi was economy minister until the summer of last year in the cabinet of late President Ebrahim Raisi and remains close to the Iranian establishment's hardliners. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and is the primary export route for Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait. About 20 percent of the world's daily oil consumption — around 18 million barrels — passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is only about 33 km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point.
Reuters
8 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Former Iranian minister calls for Iranian control over Strait of Hormuz
DUBAI, June 18 (Reuters) - Former Iranian Economy Minister Ehsan Khandouzi has said that tankers and LNG cargoes should only transit the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission and this policy should be carried out from "tomorrow [Wednesday] for a hundred days." It was not immediately clear whether Khandouzi was echoing a plan under the Iranian establishment's consideration or sharing his personal opinion. Tehran has long used the threat of blocking the narrow waterway as a means to ward off Western pressure, without acting on its threats. The stakes have risen since Israel launched an air war on Iran last week after concluding the latter was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains its nuclear programme is purely for civilian purposes. "This policy [of controlling maritime transit in the Strait]is decisive if implemented on time. Any delay in carrying it out means prolonging war inside the country," Khandouzi posted on X on Tuesday. Iran's Oil Ministry and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Khandouzi was economy minister until the summer of last year in the cabinet of late President Ebrahim Raisi and remains close to the Iranian establishment's hardliners. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and is the primary export route for Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait. About 20% of the world's daily oil consumption — around 18 million barrels — passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is only about 33 km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point.
