Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has issued a stern warning to extra-regional powers against deploying or conducting military operations in the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that Tehran will hold accountable those responsible for escalating tensions in this strategically vital waterway.
This statement was made in direct response to a joint announcement by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. The European leaders revealed an agreement with Oman aimed at securing its sovereign waters and expressed their readiness to launch a broader “Multinational Military Mission” to safeguard freedom of navigation through the crucial maritime chokepoint.
Rejecting this Western initiative, Gharibabadi asserted that the Strait of Hormuz must not become a platform for foreign military demonstrations. He underscored Iran’s serious concerns over any foreign military movements in the area, stating that the waterway is not a stage for extra-regional powers to display military force.
The deputy foreign minister highlighted that the responsibility for ensuring security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz rests solely with the coastal and littoral states, not external coalitions. He warned that those he labeled as “crisis-makers” would face full consequences for their provocative maritime actions.
Gharibabadi described Iran as the responsible authority and guarantor of the Strait’s security, issuing a firm warning against any military activities in the region. This diplomatic tension arises amid a sensitive period following a UN-recognized Memorandum of Understanding signed between the US and Iran in June, aimed at restoring regional stability.
Meanwhile, London and Paris continue to voice concerns about the security of global energy supplies, referring to the Strait as a “vital artery for the global economy.” Given that a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments pass daily through this narrow corridor, Tehran’s latest warning signals a resolute stance against European naval involvement near its territorial waters.
