The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow stated on Thursday that any country that joins the coalition proposed by the United States to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz would, according to international law, become a party to the conflict in the Middle East and an accomplice of the Americans and Israelis in the aggression against Iran, reports Agerpres.
“Russia's position on this matter remains unchanged. We start from the fact that a solution for the resumption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must be sought at the negotiating table,” said the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zaharova.
She reiterated Russia's view that the Israeli and US military campaign against Iran is unjustified and unprovoked, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and recourse to political and diplomatic channels.
US President Donald Trump has asked US allies to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz, the vital seaway through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas was transported before the war. So far, most allies have rejected that request.
Iran, bombed by the Americans and Israelis since February 28, effectively blocked maritime traffic on that route, while also attacking with missiles and drones the countries in the region where American military bases are located.
Iran's ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, said on Wednesday that Tehran would continue its military response, exercising its “legitimate right to self-defense” as long as it felt threatened.
