Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran: Illegal action by the United States of America to “unstable” the Strait of Hormuz

On 16 August, the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baghaei, stated that the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz was the direct result of “illegal actions” by the United States and Israel. He stated that the Strait of Hormuz was completely open until the “illegal military action” by the United States and Israel against Iran, and that the United States and Israel had used the waterway and adjacent areas to plan attacks against Iran, which had led to instability in the Strait. He stressed that Iran, as a State bordering the Strait of Hormuz, had and was entitled to take a series of measures to safeguard its interests and national security. It also condemns the United States maritime blockade of Iran as an act of aggression, which also violates the previous memorandum of understanding between the two parties. In addition, he stated that, despite the obstructions by the United States, talks between Iran and Oman had been actively advanced and that the parties had reached agreement on a programme for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. (In Russian)