Amid escalating rhetoric over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Supreme Leader's representative in India Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Sunday, asserted that the vital maritime passage "belongs to all countries" and expressed hope for a return to stability, even as tensions persist following recent developments involving the United States.

"Actually, the Strait of Hormuz belongs to all countries. It's not only for the United States of America. And before this war, the Strait of Hormuz was open, and all countries were benefiting from the Strait of Hormuz. But unfortunately, due to the war, we got a lot of conflict and an insecure situation. So, we want this Strait to be open, but now the situation is not good, and some ships are allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz," Ilhai told reporters.