​​​​​​ISTANBUL

Iran said Saturday that Iraq would be exempt from restrictions it imposed on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Iraq has been excluded from the restrictions we are applying in the Strait of Hormuz,” said Ibrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

He said the measures would continue to apply to vessels from the US, Israel and countries supporting them.

Zolfaqari said the developments presented an opportunity to end the US military presence in Iraq.

“The Iraqi and Iranian peoples will triumph together in this war against the United States and Israel,” he added.

On March 2, Iran announced restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it could target any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway without prior coordination.

Before the restrictions, 20 million barrels of oil moved through the strait each day. The measures have since increased shipping and insurance costs, driven up oil prices, and fueled concerns about the global economy.

The US and Israel launched an air offensive Feb. 28 against Iran, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure, while disrupting global markets and aviation.

*Writing by Tarek Chouiref