Tehran (HRNW)- Iran has expressed serious concern over the presence of foreign military forces in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the strategically important waterway must not become a venue for foreign powers to display military strength.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, said in a statement posted on the social media platform X that responsibility for the security of the Strait of Hormuz rests solely with Iran and Oman, adding that any foreign military deployment in the region would be considered unacceptable.
He stated that Iran is responsible for safeguarding the vital waterway and urged all countries to refrain from unnecessary military activities that could increase regional tensions.
The statement came after outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron said in a joint statement that the Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route for the global economy and that ensuring the safe passage of international shipping is a shared responsibility of the international community.
The two leaders also said that Oman would cooperate with Britain and France to ensure safe navigation within its territorial waters, while both European countries remain prepared to participate in a multinational military mission to protect maritime traffic if required.
Meanwhile, according to the Iranian news agency Fars, recent maritime data showed that eight commercial vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz near Oman’s coastline turned back. International media reports also indicated that several oil tankers and cargo ships altered their routes or reversed course after reaching the entrance to the strait, with some reportedly acting on instructions from Iranian authorities.
It is worth noting that Iran imposed strict restrictions on the movement of Israeli- or US-linked vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in late February following joint military operations by the United States and Israel. Since then, developments in the strategic waterway have remained under close international scrutiny.
Experts say the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for oil and gas exports, and any escalation in the area could have an immediate impact on global energy markets and the international economy.
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