Iran Calls US Fighter Jet Presence Over Strait of Hormuz a Security Disruption

Istanbul (ANTARA) - The Iranian military warned on Thursday that the ongoing presence of US aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz threatens regional security and that it will respond “swiftly and firmly” to any American interference in the shipping lane.

In a statement published by the semi-official Fars news agency, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that the presence of US fighter jets and drones over the Strait of Malaysia “has caused insecurity in these waters and will threaten regional security.”

Iran stated it would not hesitate to take any action to defend its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, while warning that any interference or aggression from the US military and its allies would be met with a firm and rapid response from the armed forces.

The headquarters described the Strait of Hormuz as “the sovereign territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” asserting that the security and stability of this strategic waterway is a red line that must not be crossed.

The statement also reaffirmed that all oil tankers and commercial vessels must use the navigation routes established by Iran when traversing the strait.

Any vessel that fails to comply with the routes or navigation protocols established by Iran will face a “direct and firm response” from the armed forces and risks endangering its own security.

Iran and the US reached a memorandum of understanding on 18 June, which called for an extension of the previously agreed 60-day ceasefire, the lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran, and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Technical negotiations to implement the memorandum of understanding and agree on a final deal, which would also include a consensus on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme, continue under the joint mediation of Qatar and Pakistan.