Not Iran, but the US is blocking the Strait of Hormuz, accuses the Iranian foreign minister
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is being provoked by the US, not Iran.
“The Strait of Hormuz is suffering now primarily because of American aggression and the blockade they imposed on it,” Iranian Minister Abbas Araghchi told Press TV channel, on the sidelines of the meeting of foreign ministers of the BRICS states in New Delhi, reports the DPA and Agerpres news agencies.
From Iran's point of view, the waterway is open to all commercial vessels as long as they “cooperate with our naval forces.”
Araghchi said the current situation could be defused by lifting the “illegal blockade” by the US.
Shortly after the war began in late February, Iranian armed forces seized control of the Strait of Hormuz, which plays a central role in global energy trade. Threats, controls and attacks on ships have brought traffic through the straits to near zero, while causing fuel prices to skyrocket.
Tehran maintains that the strait is not blocked, although shipping companies must coordinate with Iranian points of contact before they can use a corridor near the Iranian coast in exchange for high fees. Experts in international law argue that this violates the right of transit. Also, Iranian sources state that the strait is mined.
In mid-April, the US imposed a naval blockade on ships bound for Iranian ports in an effort to cut the country's oil revenues.
Last week, US President Donald Trump tried to reopen the strait with the military mission “Operation Freedom”, which he ended two days later, citing diplomatic efforts.
Military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remained high, despite a ceasefire in the conflict that came into effect in early April. Attacks and exchanges of fire between US and Iranian forces have threatened to lead to renewed conflict.
