Iran mocked Mr. Trump for calling on allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz

“They have carried out large-scale attacks and repeatedly asked Iran to surrender unconditionally. Today, after about 15 days since the conflict broke out, they are looking to other countries for support in ensuring security for the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the opening of this strait,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on March 16.

Mr. Araghchi’s statement came after US President Donald Trump said he expected NATO to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been almost blockaded by Iran. He also expressed hope that China would help clear the blockage in the strait before he goes to Beijing later this month to meet President Xi Jinping.

“In our opinion, the Strait of Hormuz is still open, it is only closed to enemies and those who commit unjust acts of aggression against our country,” Iran’s Foreign Minister emphasized.

Echoing the above view, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also affirmed that parties not involved in military action against Tehran “can still pass through the Strait of Hormuz if coordinated and allowed by our armed forces”.

“No coastal country in such a situation can allow its opponent’s ships to pass through normally to strengthen its forces and carry out actions against that country,” he added, affirming that the US, Israel and their allies “of course cannot use the Strait of Hormuz to attack Iran”.

The US President’s call to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz met with a cautious response from allies.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesman said the conflict in the Middle East stemming from US-Israeli attacks on Iran “has nothing to do with NATO” and “is not a NATO war”.

“NATO involvement in this war was never considered before the conflict and is not being considered now,” the spokesman added.

The Iranian military on the same day warned that facilities in the Red Sea used by the US navy would be considered “potential targets”, marking the first time Tehran has issued a threat to Washington’s military presence in this important maritime route.

“The presence of the US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford in the Red Sea is considered a threat to us,” news agency Fars citing a statement from the Iranian army. “Therefore, the logistics and service centers supporting the above naval group of ships in the Red Sea will be considered potential targets by the Iranian armed forces.”

The Red Sea is home to many Saudi Arabian ports specializing in oil exports and other commercial transportation activities. Riyadh has increased oil exports in recent days from Yanbu and other ports on the Red Sea coast, as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is almost completely paralyzed.