Iran’s military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced on Saturday that Iraq will be exempt from restrictions related to the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the “close ties” between the two neighboring countries.

In an official statement, spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari said that Iran’s policy regarding the strategic waterway targets only states considered “adversarial.” He stressed that Tehran respects Iraqi sovereignty and highlighted what he described as strong political and public relations between the two nations.

Zolfaghari added that the Iranian leadership recognizes the supportive stance expressed by officials in Baghdad, noting that the Iranian people are not isolated during the current regional tensions.

The announcement comes amid rising pressure from the United States. Earlier on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Tehran, demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz or a negotiated agreement. Trump warned that “all hell will rain down” if Iran fails to comply, reiterating previous threats to strike Iranian infrastructure, including power plants, should shipping through the vital oil route remain disrupted.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical maritime passages, carrying a significant share of global oil exports. Any disruption to traffic through the strait is widely viewed as a major threat to international energy markets.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei recently called on the country’s armed forces to continue operations associated with what he described as the “Strait of Hormuz closure front.” He framed the strategy as part of Iran’s broader response to the ongoing confrontation involving the United States and Israel.

Khamenei also expressed appreciation for what he described as Iraqi public support for Iran during the current conflict, further emphasizing the strong ties between the two neighboring countries.