BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 20. Iran's control of
the Strait of Hormuz is completely legal under international law
and legal protection, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, said during a press conference in
Tehran on April 20, Trend reports.
According to him, since the U.S. attacked Iran from its military
bases in the region, Iran has the right to take preventive measures
in its coastal waters in accordance with international law.
Baghaei added that Iran is not responsible for the damage some
countries have suffered as a result of the control over the Strait
of Hormuz, because until February 28, security prevailed in the
Strait of Hormuz and there were no security-related problems.
Meanwhile, as no tangible progress was made in the nuclear
negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the situation escalated on
February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military
airstrikes against Iran. In retaliation, Iran initiated missile and
drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. installations in the
region. Following these developments, a two-week ceasefire
agreement was brokered on April 7 through Pakistan's mediation.
However, during subsequent talks between the U.S. and Iran in
Islamabad on April 11, no consensus was reached.
