Minister urges ‘smart’ Hormuz management, port cooperation review
Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh Malvajerd emphasized the need for “smart management” of the Strait of Hormuz and a review of port cooperation with neighboring countries, citing shifting regional dynamics following recent conflicts.
According to Mehr news agency, Sadegh Malvajerd made the remarks during a meeting with members of the Ports and Maritime Organization's executive board and via webinar with port managers across the country.
"Smart management of the Strait of Hormuz and also the legal regime related to this strait are important issues that must be considered," she said, referring to the strategic waterway's significance.
Sadegh Malvajerd added, "Part of the Islamic Republic of Iran's interactions with neighboring countries in this region relates to shared waters and maritime issues, which are directly related to the missions of the Ports and Maritime Organization."
The minister also addressed the effects of the 40-day US-Israeli war on Iran that began on February 28, stating that regional relations require reassessment. "In the type of interactions and relations with neighboring countries, it is necessary to make revisions and some approaches should be modified according to new conditions," she said.
Sadegh Malvajerd highlighted port performance during the "US-Zionist imposed war" period, noting that unprecedented records were achieved in port activities. "During this period, records were registered in the field of port activities that had not even been achieved before in normal conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and modify cumbersome processes that prevented such achievements in normal conditions," she said.
Iran and the United States announced a 15-day ceasefire early Wednesday with Pakistan's mediation.
Iran, pursuing smart control of the Strait of Hormuz, has altered transit routes and required vessels to obtain permits and pay fees in cryptocurrency. So far, no liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo has been permitted to transit the strait.