BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Iran has not allowed
and will not allow the United States to control the Strait of
Hormuz, citing previous warnings, spokesman for Iran's Khatam
al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Ebrahim Zolfaqari said.
"The repetition of U.S. actions aimed at interfering in the
management of the Strait of Hormuz has seriously threatened
regional security, international trade, and the movement of oil
tankers and commercial vessels. With the cooperation of some
regional countries, this has increased the risk of the conflict
spreading across the region," Zolfaqari said.
He added that Iran's armed forces would respond firmly to any
attempts by the U.S. military to allow commercial vessels and oil
tankers to pass outside routes designated by Iran and without
Tehran's permission. He said recent actions by the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran's armed forces
demonstrate this position.
"Iran warns regional countries that any cooperation with the
United States and any logistical support for the U.S. military
would mean participation in a war against Iran's sovereignty and
national security, and if a war breaks out in the region, it will
engulf all regional countries," Zolfaqari said.
On July 8, U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire had
been violated and ordered new strikes against Iran. In response,
Iran targeted U.S. military facilities in the Persian Gulf region
with missiles and drones. Although Washington has not ruled out the
possibility of Iran returning to negotiations, disagreements over
the security of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program and
other issues continue to leave the future of the peace process
uncertain. Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is
currently reported to be nearly paralyzed.
