Iran denies closing the Strait of Hormuz, accuses US of endangering maritime navigation

Hamilton, Canada (ANTARA) - Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has rejected claims that Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, calling them unfounded and accusing the United States of endangering maritime security in the region. “Claims that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz are unfounded and illogical,” the mission wrote on the U.S. social media platform X, reiterating that Iran “remains committed to international law and freedom of navigation.” According to the statement, the frigate Dena, which visited India as a naval guest with 130 sailors aboard, was struck and sunk “in international waters by a U.S. submarine without warning,” nearly 2,000 miles from the Iranian coast, killing more than 100 sailors. “This reckless attack violates the fundamental principles of international law and freedom of navigation,” the statement said. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that the attack occurred on Wednesday off the coast of Sri Lanka. The warship was on its way home after taking part in naval exercises off the coast of India last month. Thirty-two sailors were injured, and many were missing. The attack on the warship in the Indian Ocean comes amid Israeli and U.S. military strikes against Iran that began on Saturday, killing at least 926 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior military officials. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf states where U.S. military assets are located. Source: Anadolu