Iran tells IMO: Hormuz open to non-enemy ships via Tehran coordination — diplomacy is priority

Iran's representative to the UN's International Maritime Organization, Ali Mousavi, issued a statement on March 22, 2026 (Day 23) carried by Iran's Mehr News Agency and confirmed by Reuters. KEY POINTS: - 'The Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to Iran's enemies' - Passage possible by 'coordinating security and safety arrangements with Tehran' - 'Diplomacy remains Iran's priority' - 'A complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important' - 'Israeli and US attacks against Iran were at the root of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz' SIGNIFICANCE: This is Iran's first formal engagement through a multilateral international body (IMO) on the Hormuz situation. The statement has two faces: 1. CONCILIATORY: Iran signals a potential limited opening — non-enemy vessels can theoretically transit if they coordinate with Tehran. This is a diplomatic off- ramp directed at neutral powers (India, China, Turkey, Japan) who have been pressing Iran for maritime access. 2. HARDLINE: The conditions — 'cessation of aggression' and 'mutual trust' — are incompatible with the current US-Israel war posture. Iran has not offered to lift restrictions on ships from countries supporting the US-Israel campaign. The timing — hours into Trump's 48-hour ultimatum clock — suggests Iran is attempting to use the IMO channel to demonstrate diplomatic good faith to neutral powers while rejecting the ultimatum's binary framing. It provides Iran's cover for refusing Trump's demand while appealing to third parties.