Iran sets terms for Bangladesh ships in Hormuz
Bangladesh must coordinate with Tehran and comply with its instructions to ensure the safe passage of its commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route, as escalating regional tensions continue to threaten international trade and energy supplies, Iran’s ambassador to Dhaka has said.
Iranian Ambassador Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi assured that Tehran would extend all necessary assistance to Bangladeshi-flagged vessels seeking to navigate the strategic waterway, but stressed that prior coordination with Iranian authorities was essential.
” To pass through, you have to follow the directions set by Iran,” he said at a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, adding that no country could safely transport energy supplies through the strait without coordinating with Tehran.
Describing Bangladeshis as Muslim brothers and sisters, Jahanabadi said he had repeatedly conveyed to the Iranian authorities the importance of ensuring safe passage for Bangladeshi ships. He had also urged Tehran to give special consideration to Bangladesh’s energy supply requirements.
Asked whether any Bangladeshi vessels had already crossed the strait, the ambassador said the information was confidential and suggested that the Bangladesh government was better placed to provide details.
On the prospects for reopening the waterway, Jahanabadi said Iran, Qatar and Oman had plans to address the situation.
However, he identified the lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran, guarantees against further attacks on Iranian territory and fulfilment of Tehran’s other conditions as essential prerequisites.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.
Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the narrow passage could severely affect global oil and gas supplies, raise transportation costs and put additional pressure on energy-importing countries, including Bangladesh.
The ambassador blamed the United States and Israel for escalating the regional conflict, alleging that their attacks had killed Iran’s supreme leader, at least 40 senior military and civilian officials and around 4,500 civilians, besides destroying numerous installations.
He said the attacks had taken place while negotiations were under way through Oman’s mediation, prompting Iran to retaliate.
“No US base in the Middle East was spared from our attacks,” he said, warning that Tehran would respond proportionately if Washington launched fresh attacks against Iranian territory.
Expressing doubts about the prospects for a diplomatic settlement with Washington, Jahanabadi predicted the possibility of a third round of war, saying Iran was prepared to face any eventuality.
He also warned that Iran would respond proportionately if subjected to a nuclear attack, arguing that the possibility of the United States using nuclear weapons against Iran could not be ruled out.
Despite the heightened tensions, the ambassador maintained that Tehran had no intention of entering into conflict with neighbouring countries.
He said Iran would not attack Arab countries unless its territory came under attack from US military bases located in those countries.
Describing the holy cities of Mecca and Medina as Iran’s red lines, Jahanabadi proposed a ‘Mecca Pact’ to establish regional security through cooperation among Muslim countries without the involvement of Western powers.
He also rejected divisions between Shia and Sunni Muslims, saying Iran did not judge people on the basis of their religious identity.
Citing Tehran’s support for Hamas, a Palestinian movement with a predominantly Sunni Muslim membership, he said religious differences should not undermine solidarity among Muslims.
On the Rohingya crisis, Jahanabadi said Iran was prepared to support Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar if they took a stand against the United States and Israel.
He also expressed political and moral support for regional groups opposing Washington and Tel Aviv, including Yemen’s Houthi movement and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Addressing the longstanding tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement, he blamed what he described as Riyadh’s misguided foreign policy for the current situation, saying a resolution depended on the Saudi government’s approach.
The ambassador also attributed economic pressures and rising prices associated with tensions in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz to US policies.
Reiterating Tehran’s position that Bangladesh was a friendly country, Jahanabadi said Iran would provide the necessary cooperation to protect Bangladesh’s commercial vessels and energy shipments amid the regional crisis, provided they coordinated with Iranian authorities and followed their instructions.
