Iran opens Hormuz to India, China, Russia, Iraq, Pak
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Iran granted commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz to India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced.
- Araghchi declared Iran had established 'sovereignty' over the waterway linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and confirmed no talks are being held with Washington.
- India and Sri Lanka received Araghchi's thanks for 'significant help' after the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena was sunk in a U.S. attack in the Indian Ocean.
- The passage list pairs India and China alongside Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan — a mix of strategic rivals and regional neighbors — with no Western allies included.
- The story is tagged under 'Israel-US strikes on Iran' as a related topic, situating Tehran's Hormuz decision in the aftermath of the conflict that sank the IRIS Dena.
Why it matters: Iran is using control of the Strait of Hormuz to reward allies while explicitly shutting the door on Washington. By naming India and Sri Lanka for help after the IRIS Dena sinking and ruling out U.S. talks, Araghchi is reshaping the diplomatic geometry of Gulf shipping on Tehran's terms after the conflict.
