Iran condemns German FM over Strait of Hormuz ‘mine-clearance’ remarks

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul over his recent comments about the Strait of Hormuz, calling them unfair and misleading.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Germany’s remarks show support for what Iran describes as the illegal US-Israeli war against the country. In a statement posted on X, Baghaei said, “The German Foreign Minister’s rhetoric on the Strait of Hormuz is utterly shameful — a grotesque distortion of reality that reeks of Mephistopheles in Goethe’s Faust.”

He also said, “Germany must be held fully accountable for its complicity in military aggression against Iran and bear the heavy costs of its active participation in the crime of aggression.”

Baghaei added, “No amount of offensive posturing will allow the Berlin regime to evade responsibility for its role in this illegal war and the war crimes committed against the Iranian people.”

The statement came after Wadephul opposed any tolls or service fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He also said Iran should pay for mine-clearance operations and called for the waterway to reopen without any restrictions or charges.

Iranian officials rejected these comments, saying the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s authority and that decisions about the waterway are the country’s sovereign right.

Iran said its armed forces, led by the IRGC Navy, continue to monitor and manage traffic through the strategic waterway. Officials also said the management of the Strait of Hormuz is entirely Iran’s responsibility.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also said that only Iran has the authority to decide when and how the waterway will fully reopen under agreements reached with the United States. He warned that outside interference could create more problems.

Iran has introduced a system for the safe movement of ships through the strait, including the option of maritime service fees, which it says is a legal measure supported by regional partners such as Oman.

Iran also accused Germany of supporting Western policies against Tehran and said foreign involvement in the Strait of Hormuz is not acceptable. Iranian officials insisted that the country will continue to protect its territorial waters and make its own decisions regarding the strategic waterway.