Iran claims it’s ready to cooperate with UN agency for Gulf maritime safety

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran is ready to cooperate with the International Maritime Organization to improve maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf, the Iranian representative to the UN maritime agency said, the semi-official Mehr news agency reports.

Ali Mousavi says the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to “Iran’s enemies,” adding that passage through the narrow waterway was possible by coordinating security and safety arrangements with Tehran.

“Diplomacy remains Iran’s priority. However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important,” Mousavi says, adding that Israeli and US attacks against Iran were at the “root of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz.”