Kuwait says Iran vows not to shut Strait of Hormuz

Kuwait’s ruler says Iran has assured its Gulf neighbors that it will not block the vital Strait of Hormuz.

A fifth of world’s oil supplies pass through the strait at the edge of the Gulf. Iran has threatened to close the strait in retaliation for Western-led efforts to thwart its nuclear program.

Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, was quoted by the official news agency Tuesday as saying Kuwait and other Arab Gulf countries contacted officials in Iran to ensure the vital waterway is not closed.

He said, “We have received assurances from Iran that it will not take this step.”

The state news agency, KUNA, says the emir made the comments to a Japanese newspaper during a visit to Tokyo.