Iran Grants Russia Military Transit Rights Through Strait of Hormuz

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Iran's ambassador to Moscow said Russia holds the right to pass military vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that carries roughly one-fifth of the world's oil traffic. Ambassador Kazım Celali made the announcement Friday while leading the Iranian delegation at the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Celali also said Thursday that Iran and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding in 2025 valued at $25 billion for cooperation in nuclear energy. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil markets, handling approximately 20 percent of the world's oil shipments. Russia's military transit access through the waterway affects regional dynamics in the Persian Gulf.