Iran warns Hormuz Strait not 'theater' for transregional powers' military display
Tehran, July 5
A senior Iranian diplomat warned that the Strait of Hormuz is not a "theater" for transregional powers' military display.
"Iran, as the responsible authority and guarantor of security in the strait, warns against any military movement in the sensitive waterway," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on social media platform X.
The strait's security is the sole responsibility of Iran and Oman, Gharibabadi said, dismissing a joint statement on Friday by outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, Xinhua news agency reported.
In their statement, Starmer and Macron described the waterway as a "vital artery" for the global economy, adding, "Restoring safe transit for ships of all nations through the strait is a matter of global concern."
They said Oman has agreed to work with Britain and France to ensure "its sovereign territorial waters are safe for navigation," stressing that Britain and France "also stand ready to deploy the wider Multinational Military Mission to support freedom of navigation" in the strait.
Meanwhile, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, citing the latest maritime tracking data, reported Saturday that eight vessels seeking to cross the waterway along the coast of Oman were turned back.
Bloomberg reported the same day that some of the vessels "had made it as far as the tip of the Musandam Peninsula that sticks out into the chokepoint, before making sharp reversals."
"One crude tanker, two products tankers, and one bulk carrier then sailed northward to take an outbound route" as directed by Iran, it reported.
Iran has tightened its grip on the strait since February 28, when it barred safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an Indian, I'm worried about the rising tensions in the Middle East. Iran is right to protect its sovereignty, but threatening to close the strait is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. The world needs stable oil routes. I hope diplomacy prevails over military posturing. 🌍
Britain and France have no business meddling in the Persian Gulf. They act like it's still the colonial era. Iran and Oman are perfectly capable of managing security there. The Western powers just want to maintain their control over Middle Eastern oil. India should stay neutral and focus on our own energy security.
This is so tense 🥺. Iran is playing a dangerous game. By turning back ships and tightening control, they risk escalating into a full-blown conflict. I just hope no lives are lost over geopolitics. The Strait of Hormuz is literally the lifeline for global energy - we all need cooler heads.
Pakistan and China are watching this closely too. India should quietly work with Oman and the UAE to ensure alternative shipping routes are available if Iran goes too far. But honestly, Iran has been using this tactic since the Iran-Iraq war - it's just political theater at this point.
While I understand Iran's security concerns, this is a clear violation of international maritime law. The US and Israel have been aggressive lately, but turning away commercial vessels from other nations is unacceptable. India must firmly oppose any unilateral control of international waters. 🇮🇳
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.