Iran tells IMO non-hostile vessels can transit Hormuz — first formal passage offer since conflict began

Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a formal statement to the International Maritime Organization dated Sunday March 22 — circulated by the IMO to member states and NGOs on Day 25. The statement reads: 'Non-hostile vessels may — provided that they neither participate in nor support acts of aggression against Iran — and fully comply with the declared safety and security regulations — benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the competent authorities.' The statement represents the first formal Iranian communication on Hormuz passage since Iran effectively closed the strait to shipping at the start of the conflict, sending global oil and gas prices soaring. The conditioned passage offer is significant but limited: 'non-hostile' vessels (commercial tankers, civilian shipping) may pass if they coordinate with Iranian authorities and do not support military operations against Iran. Military vessels supporting the US-Israeli campaign would be excluded. The statement aligns partially with Trump's Hormuz demand in the 15-point framework (point 9: 'Hormuz must remain open as a free maritime corridor') — but falls short of full unconditional opening. Iran appears to be using this statement as a diplomatic signal ahead of the potential Islamabad summit while maintaining its leverage over shipping. The Trump administration's 82nd Airborne deployment, UK Hormuz Coalition, and direct negotiation pressure appear to be extracting incremental Iranian concessions on Hormuz.