Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Calls for Full Freedom of Passage Through the Strait of Hormuz

Georgy Borisenko, Russia's deputy foreign minister, told the RIA Novosti news agency, in remarks carried by Mehr News and reported by Donya-e-Eqtesad on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 (28 Mordad 1405) at 23:04 Tehran time, that Russia's position is that passage through all sea lanes used in international shipping should be free, and that this principle applies to the Strait of Hormuz as well. He added that Russia hopes the situation in the strait returns to normal so that commercial vessels can pass without obstruction.

The Strait of Hormuz, the main export route for Persian Gulf oil and gas, has faced disrupted shipping for weeks amid escalating tension between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other, affecting global supply chains for fuel, energy, petrochemical products and chemical fertilizer. Iran has previously said it would guarantee shipping security through the strategic strait, under the necessary protocols, if a durable ceasefire is reached.