Iran Demands Recognition of Its Rights to End War, Warns Ships Must Seek Approval in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the only path to ending the ongoing conflict in West Asia lies in the recognition of Iran’s rights and firm international guarantees against future aggression.

"In contact with the presidents of the governments of Russia and Pakistan, while announcing the Islamic Republic's commitment to peace and tranquility in the region, I emphasized that the only way to end the war that began with the warmongering of the Zionist regime and America is the acceptance of Iran's indisputable rights, payment of reparations, and a firm international obligation to prevent their aggression from recurring,” Pezeshkian said.

According to Iranian state media, attacks by the United States and Israel have targeted more than 16,000 residential units across the country.

Citing Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesperson for the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the report said 19,734 non-military buildings had been struck, of which 16,291 were residential units.

It added that 77 medical centres and 16 Red Crescent facilities were also subjected to attacks.

Why Is Iran Warning Ships to Seek Approval Before Crossing the Strait of Hormuz?

Amid escalating tensions, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Naval Force, Alireza Tangsiri, warned that vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain Iran’s approval or risk being targeted.

Tangsiri said two ships that ignored warnings were struck in the Strait on Wednesday.

"Any vessel intending to pass must obtain permission from Iran," it further added.

Why Is the Strait of Hormuz Critical to Global Oil and LNG Supply?

Iranian state media reported that Tehran has intensified restrictions on shipping through the Strait amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes. Iran has said vessels not serving the interests of the United States and Israel can sail through safely.

More than 20 million barrels of crude oil pass daily through the narrow waterway separating the Iranian coast from Oman.

The volume represents roughly a fifth of global oil consumption and nearly a quarter of all seaborne oil trade.

A significant share of the world's liquefied natural gas also moves through the passage, meaning any disruption could affect financial markets, supply chains and household budgets worldwide.

Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had carried out the 40th wave of its retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, launching strikes against targets across the region. The latest phase involved the firing of Qadr, Emad, Kheibar Shekan and Fattah missiles.

The IRGC said the strikes were conducted jointly with fighters from Hezbollah.

"As Zionist regime media sources themselves have admitted and confirmed, the launch of missiles from Iran towards Israel has increased noticeably over the past 24 hours, and Zionist casualties have risen exponentially," the IRGC stated.

The IRGC also claimed that the 40th wave of the counteroffensive struck US bases in the region including al-Azraq in Jordan and al-Kharj in Saudi Arabia.

The Corps said the overall situation was "the most significant outcome of the war brought about by the lying US President Donald Trump and the malicious Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

Thursday marked day 13 of the conflict in West Asia with neither side showing signs of relenting.

(With inputs from ANI)