Iranian Foreign Minister Announces Two-Week Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Foreign Minister announced on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to safe passage for a two-week period, with the measure coordinated directly with the country's armed forces, in a declaration that carries significant implications for global energy markets and Gulf regional stability.

The announcement, reported by Al-Araby Television, represents a rare public commitment from Tehran regarding one of the world's most strategically vital waterways. Approximately 20 percent of the world's oil supply and a substantial share of liquefied natural gas transits the strait annually, making any disruption to passage a matter of acute concern for energy-importing nations and Gulf producers alike.

The foreign minister did not specify what conditions or negotiations preceded the declaration, nor did he outline what measures would govern passage after the two-week window expires. The involvement of Iran's armed forces in coordinating the guarantee suggests the announcement carries the backing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, which patrols the strait and has in past years seized vessels and conducted exercises that temporarily elevated maritime tensions.

For Qatar, which exports much of its liquefied natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz to markets in Asia and Europe, the announcement offers a measure of short-term assurance. Qatari Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi has previously described the uninterrupted flow of LNG as a cornerstone of global energy security, and Doha has consistently supported diplomatic channels to prevent escalation in the Persian Gulf.

Regional analysts noted the timing of the announcement, which comes amid ongoing diplomatic activity between Tehran and several Gulf states. Qatar has historically maintained open channels of communication with Iran, sharing the world's largest natural gas field — the North Dome, known on the Iranian side as South Pars — and has played a mediating role in past periods of regional tension.

The two-week timeframe raises questions about longer-term assurances and whether the declaration is tied to ongoing negotiations or is intended as a confidence-building measure ahead of wider diplomatic engagement. Gulf Cooperation Council member states, many of which depend on the strait for their energy exports, are expected to monitor the situation closely.

No immediate response from the United States Fifth Fleet, which is based in Bahrain and maintains a naval presence in the Gulf, had been issued at the time of publication.