There are widespread reports on Iran allowing "any country aside from the US and Israel" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
If this is true, China and India alone will be able to restore nearly 7 million barrels of oil supply PER DAY.
In other words, ~39% of the 18 million…
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) March 14, 2026
‘Strait of Hormuz is open, but not for American and Israeli ships and tankers,’ says Iran foreign minister Araghchi
Is oil dumping on Monday?
If true that means blockade is effectively over https://t.co/wHQy1ksNWp pic.twitter.com/spl1c7fVTf
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) March 14, 2026
Any country except for US and Israel can pass through Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister says https://t.co/AHDmOiKt90 pic.twitter.com/SSePAoCZij
— New York Post (@nypost) March 14, 2026
Jim Bianco
@biancoresearch
Remember that just yesterday, Tehran was reportedly floating a completely different condition: cargo paid in yuan. Today, it’s “any country except the U.S. and Israel can pass.” That is not a reopening. It is evidence the rules are being improvised in real time.
And two days ago, on March 12, Iran tried to pose as reasonable by saying ships must coordinate with its navy to transit. Reuters also reported other selective assurances for passage, including a vessel changing its signaling to “China-owner” to get through.
We’ve seen this before. During the Red Sea crisis in 2024, the Houthis offered similarly selective assurances in Bab el-Mandeb. In practice, it was confusing, chaotic, and did little to restore the normal flow of ships. Reuters reported that many vessels caught up in those attacks had no Israeli connection, and UNCTAD said Suez Canal transits fell 42% from peak levels.
Shipping does not normalize because of slogans. It normalizes when passage is clear, verifiable, insurable, and durable. Right now, it is none of those things.
So this is not Iran loosening its grip on the Strait of Hormuz. It’s PR spin designed to sound reasonable.
Until owners, crews, charterers, and insurers can move without ad hoc political tests or special permission, the Strait remains squeezed.
Remember that just yesterday, Tehran was reportedly floating a completely different condition: cargo paid in yuan. Today, it’s “any country except the U.S. and Israel can pass.” That is not a reopening. It is evidence the rules are being improvised in real time.
And two days… https://t.co/o8gEANPakR
— Jim Bianco (@biancoresearch) March 14, 2026
Iran said Saturday that all countries besides the US and Israel may pass through the Strait of Hormuz, in a desperate attempt at coalition busting less than a day after the US bombed military targets on its oil-critical Kharg Island.
“As a matter of fact, the Strait of Hormuz is open,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
“It is only closed to the tankers and ships belong[ing] to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass,” Araghchi told MS NOW