What Iran reportedly said
According to statements attributed to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran declared that:
- Any Arab or European country that expels the ambassadors of the United States and Israel
- Would be granted “complete freedom and authority” for its ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz starting the next day.
The statement was broadcast by Iranian state media and quoted by multiple outlets.
Why this matters
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important energy routes in the world:
- About 20% of global oil shipments normally pass through it.
- It connects the Persian Gulf to the global shipping lanes used by major oil exporters like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE.
Because of this, any threat to restrict passage can shake global oil markets and international trade.
What the statement likely means
Analysts say the message is likely intended to:
- Pressure countries diplomatically to distance themselves from the U.S. and Israel
- Use control of the shipping chokepoint as leverage in the ongoing regional conflict
- Signal Iran’s willingness to restrict oil exports to hostile states.
However, no Arab or European country has announced plans to expel U.S. or Israeli ambassadors, and it’s unclear whether Iran could realistically enforce such a selective shipping policy.
✅ Bottom line:
Iranian military officials did issue a statement offering passage through the Strait of Hormuz to countries that expel U.S. and Israeli diplomats, but it is widely viewed as a geopolitical pressure move amid escalating tensions, not a policy that has been accepted or implemented by other governments.