Iran Warns Strait of Hormuz Is Not a Stage for Foreign Military Power Displays

Tehran (ANTARA) - Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz is not a stage for military shows of force by countries from outside the region. “Iran, as the responsible authority and guarantor of security in the strait, warns against any military movement in that sensitive waterway,” wrote Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, on the social media platform X.

Security in the strait is the sole responsibility of Iran and Oman, Gharibabadi stated, while dismissing a joint statement issued on Friday (3/7) by the outgoing British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

In their statement, Starmer and Macron described the waterway as a vital artery for the global economy. Both leaders also stated that restoring safe passage for vessels from all nations through the strait is a matter of global concern.

They further noted that Oman had agreed to cooperate with the United Kingdom and France to ensure that its sovereign territorial waters remain safe for navigation.

Meanwhile, the semi-official Iranian news agency, Fars, citing recent maritime tracking data, reported on Saturday that eight ships attempting to traverse the waterway along the coast of Oman had turned back.

On the same day, Bloomberg reported that several of these vessels had reached the tip of the Musandam Peninsula, which protrudes into the narrow strait, before suddenly reversing direction.

“One crude oil tanker, two oil product tankers, and one bulk cargo ship then sailed north to take an exit route” in accordance with Iranian instructions, according to the report.

Iran has tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz since 28 February, prohibiting ships owned by or affiliated with Israel and the US from passing safely, following joint attacks by both nations on Iranian territory.