As a coastal state, Iran has the legal right to prevent ships belonging to the United States, Israel and their allies, or affiliated with these countries, from transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday.
He made these remarks during a telephone exchange with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding the security and humanitarian consequences of American and Israeli attacks against Iran, his office said Friday in a statement.
Read more Cameroon: outcry of indignation following the rape and death of an 11-year-old girl
Mr. Araghchi informed Mr. Guterres of the latest developments in the conflict and the “crimes” committed by the United States and Israel, emphasizing his country’s firm determination to continue the “legitimate” defense of its national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He condemned the “brutal” attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against civilian targets, including schools, hospitals, cultural and historical buildings, public places and residential areas, emphasizing that it was the responsibility of the United Nations to pursue the “flagrant violations” of the United Nations Charter and international law, including human rights and international humanitarian law, committed by the “aggressors”.
Abbas Araghchi criticized the unilateral positions and demands of certain parties, which call on Iran to exercise restraint and end the war, emphasizing: “We must not forget this obvious fact: it is the United States which, in concert with Israel, launched the military aggression against Iran and imposed war on the region and the entire world, once again betraying diplomacy and compromising the security and interests of all states in the region”.
Read more SRC: a group of employees alerts on serious internal misconduct
He stated that insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz was a direct consequence of the “violations of law and acts of aggression” committed by the United States and Israel, asserting that Iran, as a coastal state, had the legitimate right to prevent the passage of ships belonging to the United States and Israel, their allies, or related to them.
Mr. Araghchi stated that, aware of their responsibility to ensure the security and safety of navigation on this waterway, the competent Iranian authorities had taken the necessary measures. He also called on the United Nations to protect international peace and security by condemning the aggressors and holding them accountable.
For his part, Mr. Guterres reaffirmed the United Nations’ principled position on the need to respect the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, while expressing his deep concern about this regional conflict.
Read more Yaoundé: Enhanced traffic restrictions to preserve public order
Xinhua
