Iran calls on all ships to coordinate with its forces when crossing Hormuz strait

TEHRAN, March 12 (YPA) – Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Esmaeil Baghaei, said on Thursday that ships wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must coordinate with Iran to ensure the security of navigation in the vital maritime corridor.

According to Tasnim News Agency, Baghaei stressed that Iran reserves the right, within the framework of international law, to defend itself and target the sources and centers of attacks directed against it.

He said Tehran harbors no hostility toward the peoples and countries of the region, but noted that the use of the territory or capabilities of certain countries to launch attacks on Iran grants it the legitimate right to self-defense and to respond to the sources of aggression.

He added that if such territories and capabilities are no longer used against Iran, Tehran’s defensive measures would also cease.

Baghaei also highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, describing the security of the waterway as a priority for Iran and noting that the country has long borne the costs of maintaining its stability and safety.

He further attributed the recent tensions and instability in the region to the actions of the United States and Israel, while stressing that Iran does not seek to undermine the security of the strait.

Concluding his remarks, Baghaei reiterated that vessels transiting the strait should coordinate with Iranian naval forces to ensure safe navigation, and described the U.S. military presence in the region as a source of instability, adding that using the territory of regional countries to launch attacks against a Muslim state is unjustified.

AA