Iran declares Gulf ports are ‘either for everyone or for no one’

The unified command of the Iranian armed forces has stated that the ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman are “either for everyone or for no one”, state broadcaster IRIB reported.

“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran consider defending the legal rights of our country a natural and legal duty, and accordingly, exercising the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the territorial waters of our country is the natural right of the Iranian nation,” IRIB cited Iran’s forces as stating.

Iran will continue ensuring the security of the strait, and “enemy-affiliated vessels do not and will not have the right to pass through the Strait of Hormuz”, the forces’ statement said.

Other vessels will be allowed passage through the strait, subject to regulations by Iran, it added.

“Also, given the continued threats from the enemy against the Iranian nation and the national security of our country, even after the end of the war, the Islamic Republic of Iran will resolutely implement a permanent mechanism to control the Strait of Hormuz,” the state broadcaster reported.

“The criminal US’s imposition of restrictions on the movement of vessels in international waters is an illegal act and amounts to piracy.”

If the security of the ports is threatened, “no port in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be safe”, the Iranian armed forces added.