Iran Denies Closing Strait of Hormuz, Offers Safe Corridor for Japanese Oil Tankers

Iran has denied closing the Strait of Hormuz and assured Tokyo that it will provide a safe corridor for Japanese oil tankers on the crucial shipping route. Iranian officials stated they have only restricted access for attackers, not closed the strategic waterway entirely. The assurances come as Japan relies heavily on oil imports that pass through the strait, one of the world's most important energy chokepoints. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and handles approximately one-fifth of global oil shipments, making any disruption a significant concern for energy markets worldwide.