Iran rejects non-regional military security for Strait of Hormuz

Moscow – Iran has rejected the security of the Strait of Hormuz conducted by non-regional forces, said Iran’s Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali, commenting on a proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron.

“We oppose the entry of non-regional forces into that territory. They only complicate regional problems and do nothing,” Jalali told RIA Novosti.

The current hostilities in the Middle East are not a regional war, but one imposed from outside, added the ambassador.

In early March, Macron stated that France had proposed a coalition to combine the forces and resources of military personnel to ensure the security of maritime shipping amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

He stated that the mission could begin operations after the most acute phase of the conflict over Iran had ended.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched attacks against numerous targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and American military facilities in the Middle East.

America and Israel initially claimed their attacks were necessary to counter threats perceived to stem from Iran’s nuclear programme. However, they quickly clarified that the attacks were carried out because they wished to see a change of government in Iran.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the American and Israeli military operations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described Khamenei’s killing as a cynical violation of international law. Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the American-Israeli operations and called for immediate de-escalation and a halt to hostilities.