Tehran: Strait of Hormuz Is Under Full Iranian Control, US Responsible for Higher Fuel Prices

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has said the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iran’s full control, blaming the United States for maritime insecurity in the region and rising global fuel prices.

“The insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz is the result of US actions, and if the international community is concerned about rising fuel prices, it should reprimand the United States,” Baghaei said in a televised interview on Friday.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the latest US-Israeli aggression against the country began on February 28.

The two sides agreed on a 60-day reopening period under a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding reached in June. Baghaei said Iran took steps to ensure safe and legal passage through the waterway, but later restored the closure after accusing the United States of violating the agreement.

Iran has linked the reopening of the strait to several conditions, including the lifting of the US naval and economic blockade, an end to attacks on all fronts, including Lebanon, and clarification of the situation regarding the blockade of Yemen.

Baghaei said the strait had been fully open before February 28, but Iran later took measures to protect its national security.

“Under these circumstances, we are entitled to take measures to protect the country’s security,” he said.

He said the waterway became “somewhat safer” after the Islamabad agreement and that Iran honored its commitments, while the United States violated its commitment 23 days later.

“Their (the Americans’) pretexts [for committing the violations] had no basis,” Baghaei said.

Iran Calls Gulf Ministerial Meeting a ‘Diplomatic Achievement’

Baghaei also discussed a planned meeting of foreign ministers from Persian Gulf countries in Oman, where the Strait of Hormuz is expected to be discussed.

He said Iran and Oman would explain the results of their consultations on transit through the waterway.

“It is important that your diplomacy succeeds in bringing countries to the conclusion that we should sit together and talk, particularly without the presence of extra-regional countries and others,” he said.

“This is a diplomatic achievement.”

Iran Calls for Regional Security

Baghaei said the presence of the United States in the region does not provide security.

“Everyone around the world has understood that the presence of the United States in the region does not create security,” he said.

He said Iran remains committed to good relations with neighboring countries and has asked them not to allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.

“Now is the time to talk about endogenous security,” he said. “I do not want to say that the military presence of others in the region will end tomorrow, but we must provide security for the region ourselves, and the time for that is now.”

Iran Warns Saudi Arabia and Japan

Baghaei also criticized Saudi Arabia and Japan for supporting a recent resolution against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors.

“Did they not consider how Iran is supposed to provide access to the sites that have been attacked when we ourselves have been attacked?” he asked.

“This resolution demonstrates the confusion of its sponsors.”

“There is absolutely no justification for Saudi Arabia and Japan voting in favor,” he said. “These countries are responsible for the consequences of this decision, and we will hold them accountable.”

Iran Says Diplomacy Remains Active

Baghaei said Iran remains in a state of war because of sanctions, the naval blockade and other pressure against the country.

He rejected claims that Iran had failed to use diplomacy.

“No one can accuse Iran of failing to use diplomacy to repel aggressors.”

“Diplomacy is not separate from the battlefield. Just as the battlefield is active in defending the country, the Foreign Ministry’s activities multiply severalfold,” he said.

‘Iran wounded but proud’

Speaking about the damage caused by foreign aggression, Baghaei said, “Iran is now wounded but proud.”

“In modern times, Iran has never been this powerful, and Iran’s strength is owed to the steadfastness of the Iranian people.”

Iran Seeks Stronger Ties With China

Baghaei also said Iran wants to expand cooperation with China.

“Relations between Iran and China have always been growing,” he said.

“We are determined to expand relations at both the bilateral and multilateral levels,” he added. “The leaders of the two countries are determined that the strategic partnership should serve to strengthen bilateral relations. We are determined to continue along this path.”