Dhaka, March 26 -- Iran has assured that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz will remain open for Bangladesh despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Contrary to Western media reports, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Iranian State TV that the Strait is not fully closed, NDTV reported.

The narrow gateway of the Persian Gulf, through which about one-fifth of the global oil is shipped, has been tightly controlled by Iran since the US and Israel launched strikes against Tehran last month.

"Many of the shipowners, or the countries that own these vessels, have contacted us and requested that we ensure their safe passage through the strait. For some of these countries that we consider friendly, or in cases where we have d...