U.S. Urges Iran to Keep Strait of Hormuz Open -State Department

April 23, 2019

WASHINGTON, April 23 (Reuters) – The United States called on Iran to keep the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab open, a State Department official said on Tuesday after the United States a day earlier demanded that Iran oil buyers halt their purchases by May 1.

“We call on Iran, and all countries, to respect the free flow of energy and commerce, and freedom of navigation” in the straits, the official said.

FILE PHOTO: An Iranian navy commander Habibollah Sayyari (L) gestures as he speaks with media on Sea of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran. Reuters

(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton Writing by Susan Heavey)