The Iranian embassy in Spain said on Thursday that Iran would be receptive to any request from Madrid related to the Strait of Hormuz because Spain respects international law, establishing the first concession of its kind offered to a European Union state.
Spain has a relatively small merchant fleet, but it was one of the first countries to condemn the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, considering the war reckless and illegal.
Iran considers Spain a country committed to international law, which is why it is receptive to any request from Madrid. #StraitOfOrmuz’, the Iranian embassy said in a post on X.
The publication follows a note seen by Reuters on Tuesday from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the United Nations, stating that ‘non-hostile vessels’ could transit the strait if they coordinate with Iranian authorities.
The war with Iran has all but halted the transport of about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas through the strait, causing disruptions in oil supplies.
A Thai oil tanker sailed safely through the strait following coordination between Thailand and Iran, and Malaysia’s prime minister said on Thursday that Malaysian vessels were also being allowed to pass, in a sign that restrictions were easing for some countries following diplomatic talks.
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Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said on Thursday that he did not understand what Iran was referring to in his X post. He said that Spain has consistently voted in favor of sanctions against Iran, including classifying the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.
‘What we ask of Iran and all those who participate in and promote the war is de-escalation, diplomacy and negotiation, and that Iran cease its unjustified attacks against all countries in the Middle East,’ Albares said during a visit to Algeria.
