Strait of Hormuz to reopen only if US 'aggression' stops: Iran
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tehran would “provide security for safe passage” through the strait, which he noted had remained open for centuries before the current conflict.
Iran has said it will reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz only if what it describes as US "aggression" comes to an end, amid escalating tensions in the region.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tehran would "provide security for safe passage" through the strait, which he noted had remained open for centuries before the current conflict, reports BBC.
However, he stressed that reopening the waterway depends on the United States halting its actions. "The Strait will reopen only after the United States actually withdraws this aggression," he said in an interview.
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Khatibzadeh added that Iran would act in accordance with international law, but argued that the strait is not fully in international waters and that safe passage depends on "the goodwill of Iran and Oman."
He said Iran wants the waterway to remain peaceful but warned that it would not accept the Gulf being "misused by warships."
On regional tensions, Khatibzadeh urged all parties in the Middle East to respect the ceasefire agreed with the United States, while accusing Israel of violating the truce through ongoing strikes in Lebanon.
Asked about Iran's ties with Hezbollah, he acknowledged that Tehran provides support to the group but insisted it does not act on Iran's behalf.
Khatibzadeh also said the United States must choose between war and diplomacy. "They cannot have both at the same time," he said, calling for a de-escalation of tensions across the region.
When asked on whether Iran will pull out of negotiations if the Israeli strikes continue, he saod, "We are very much focusing on the wellbeing of the whole Middle East."
