The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Nairobi issued a strongly worded statement warning Kenya against supporting U.S. and Israeli military actions in the Gulf, while dismissing reports that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed.
Earlier this month, President William Ruto called for urgent de-escalation in the Middle East conflict. In a statement on March 2, Ruto warned that the crisis threatened global peace and economic security following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Kenya strongly condemns the strikes on the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain in the evolving conflict in the Middle East,” Ruto said in a statement posted on X.
“It is evident that the regionalisation of this conflict poses a grave threat to international peace and security.”
President Ruto further urged multilateral institutions to play a central role in resolving the crisis, stressing that Kenya would prioritize peace and stability.
Iran dismisses Hormuz closure claims, appeals to Kenya
In a press release, dated March 27, 2026, the Iranian Embassy in Nairobi underscored Tehran’s position that maritime traffic continues under its oversight. Still, it warned that vessels linked to “aggressors” will be treated as hostile.
The embassy’s Public Diplomacy Department described the situation in the Gulf as “highly unsafe, volatile, and unpredictable” due to what it called “illegal military aggression by the U.S. and the Israeli regime.”
The statement argued that such actions violate Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and directly undermine maritime safety and international shipping. In addition, the embassy reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to freedom of navigation.
“Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has not been suspended or closed and continues, subject to the measures adopted and the considerations arising from the current wartime situation,” part of the statement reads.
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Iran further emphasized that non-belligerent states and vessels could benefit from safe passage if they refrained from supporting aggression and coordinated with Iranian authorities.
The embassy rejected “false claims by some parties and biased media propaganda” about a closure of Hormuz, calling such reports “baseless” and part of a U.S.-Israeli “propaganda machinery.”
Iran concluded by warning that responsibility for any disruption lies with Washington and Tel Aviv, not Tehran.
“The publication of false news and manipulated narratives concerning the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its impacts on life expenses in countries like Kenya are products of the US and the Israeli regime’s propaganda machinery and are aimed at distorting public opinion. It represents a fruitless attempt to remove and redirect the responsibility from the culprits and aggressors against Iran.”
The Kenya Times reached out to the Iranian Embassy in Nairobi for further clarification on the statement. A spokesperson had not replied by the time of publication.
Iran’s embassy statement highlights Tehran’s effort to shape international opinion and discourage African states from siding with Washington and Tel Aviv.
Strait of Hormuz status
Despite Tehran’s assurances, independent trackers confirm that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed under an Iranian naval blockade.
Commercial transits have been suspended since late February, with traffic plunging from over 100 daily tankers to near zero. Stranded oil tankers are idling outside the Gulf, though a few China-linked vessels have reportedly passed selectively.
President Donald Trump this week extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait, claiming progress in diplomacy. He said Iran had allowed 10 ships through as a “gift,” though Tehran denies this.
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Earlier, Trump threatened strikes on Iranian power plants if the Strait was not reopened by March 24. He has also suggested that the U.S. could take control of the waterway.
Iran continues to reject U.S. ceasefire proposals, demanding reparations and sovereignty over Hormuz.
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, predict the war could end within weeks without ground troops, while allies remain reluctant to commit further military action.
The Strait of Hormuz blockade is part of a wider conflict that began on February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Since then, Iran and its allies have retaliated across the region, targeting bases in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE. Israel has struck hundreds of Iranian and Hezbollah sites, while U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reports more than 11,000 targets hit in Iran.
The blockade has disrupted global energy markets, with oil prices soaring and marine insurance costs escalating. Kenya, like many countries reliant on imported fuel, faces potential economic repercussions if the crisis continues.
