Iranian Regime Warns Strait of Hormuz Remains Under Its Legal Rights Amid US Tensions

TEHRAN, July 20: Iran said its role in the Strait of Hormuz is “non-negotiable,” with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei asserting that Tehran has legal rights over the strategic waterway as a coastal state.

Baghaei said Iran’s position in the Strait of Hormuz remains valid regardless of any memorandum of understanding, adding that recent U.S. and Israeli military actions, along with what he described as support from some regional countries, highlighted the need to prevent the waterway from being used against Iran’s security interests.

He said Iran would coordinate with Oman on measures related to the management and security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

Baghaei also announced that Iran had stopped implementing its commitments under a memorandum of understanding with the United States, accusing Washington of failing to uphold its obligations.

“Iran remained committed to its obligations as long as the other side fulfilled its commitments,” Baghaei said, adding that Tehran would only return to implementing the agreement if the other party did the same.

He said any agreement loses its significance when one side stops honoring its commitments, describing such an arrangement as “nothing more than a piece of paper” if mutual obligations are not respected.