Washington, April 28 (ANI): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for the immediate restoration of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that uninterrupted maritime movement is essential for global trade and economic stability amid rising tensions in the Gulf region.
“Navigational rights and freedoms through the Strait of Hormuz must be respected,” Guterres said in a statement. “I appeal to the parties: Open the strait. Let ships pass. No tolls. No discrimination. Let trade resume. Let the global economy breathe. Safe, unimpeded passage is an economic and humanitarian imperative.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply criticized Iran’s reported attempts to regulate or impose fees on vessels transiting the strategic waterway. In an interview with Fox News, Rubio warned that such measures would be unacceptable and would amount to asserting control over an international passage.
“If what they mean by opening the strait is, ‘Yes, the strait is open as long as you coordinate with Iran—get our permission, or we’ll blow you up and pay us,’ that’s not opening the strait,” Rubio said. “That is an international waterway.”
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have escalated in recent weeks, disrupting global trade and energy supply chains. The narrow passage is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, handling a significant share of global oil shipments.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump underscored the “urgent need” to restore maritime traffic through the strait during a phone call. According to the U.K. Prime Minister’s Office, both leaders warned of the economic consequences of prolonged disruption, including rising global living costs.
The statement added that diplomatic and security efforts are ongoing to ensure freedom of navigation, including a joint initiative involving the United Kingdom and France following recent military planning discussions.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media Press TV reported that revenue from newly introduced transit fees for vessels passing through the strait has been deposited with the country’s central bank. (ANI)
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