Tehran will provide full cooperation to ensure the safe return of six Bangladeshi ships currently stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, said Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday (April 1), the ambassador said, “We have informed Tehran about the six ships. Iran’s National Security Council has approved assistance for these vessels. However, we have not been able to identify the ships properly, as their specifications were not fully provided to us.”
He added, “We had requested the Bangladesh government to provide detailed specifications of the ships, which we received last week. Work is ongoing in this regard. There is no issue regarding the movement of Bangladeshi vessels, and we will provide all possible support.”
Referring to domestic issues, Rahimi said, “We have reported to Tehran about the long queues at filling stations here, explaining that our brothers and friends are facing problems. We have requested that they face no difficulties and receive all necessary support.”
On post-war regulations for the Hormuz Strait, he said, “Under the rules of innocent passage, no ship can pass through this strait without Iran’s permission. Our parliament and government have begun taking various steps in this regard. We are determined to establish control and authority over the Hormuz Strait.”
He further remarked, “This war is not only against us but is actually against Islamic civilisation, culture, and the entire Muslim Ummah. Recently, we assisted over 180 Bangladeshis in Iran to return safely to their country. Many of them had entered Iran without visas or passports.”
He added, “Those Bangladeshis who were in the country illegally were not arrested or harassed. In coordination with the Foreign Ministry and police, they were allowed to return home safely after paying a nominal fine.”
Regarding the US position, Rahimi stated, “The United States has proposed 15 conditions to Iran. This is essentially about their demands and expectations. What they could not achieve through war, they are trying to achieve through such proposals. We have had no discussions with America, and we have not responded to their 15 conditions.”