ISTANBUL, April 4 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Iran approved on Saturday the passage of ships carrying humanitarian and essential goods through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a letter from the Agriculture Ministry’s trade development office, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
Backed by the government and the armed forces, the directive permits vessels carrying essential goods and livestock feed to pass through under designated protocols, the report said.
Following the approval, industry associations informed their member companies to proceed with sending cargo ships to southern Iranian ports after the removal of previous restrictions, it added.
Regional tensions have escalated since the United States (US) and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU
