Iranian Diplomat: U.S. Rhetoric on Strait of Hormuz is Political and Reactive
In a recent interview reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency, Hossein Nushabadi, Director-General for Parliamentary and Legal Affairs at Iran's Foreign Ministry, addressed Washington's controversial statements regarding control over the Strait of Hormuz. He characterized these claims as primarily driven by domestic political considerations rather than objective strategic assessment.
U.S. Claims Contradict International Law
Nushabadi argued that assertions made by the U.S. President concerning the strait lack a factual and legal foundation. He pointed out that such rhetoric does not align with established international shipping norms and contravenes relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This departure from internationally accepted legal frameworks, in his view, undermines regional stability and highlights a strategic deficiency in how the U.S. perceives Iran's regional influence.
Iran's Strategic Leverage and Dominance
The senior diplomat elaborated on Iran's strategic position regarding the critical waterway, which is globally recognized as a lifeline for energy and the economy.
- Political and Military Primacy: Iran has established de facto dominance through its coastal control and military posture along the strait.
- A Lever Against Threats: This dominance serves not for aggression but as a potent strategic instrument to counter external security threats and political pressure.
- The Nature of a Reactive Stance: Nushabadi framed the U.S. "hype" as a passive response, necessitated by Washington's need to address Iran's consolidated power and clear strategic posture in the region.
The statement ultimately seeks to reframe the international discourse, shifting focus from U.S. allegations to Iran's strategic initiative grounded in capability and international law, while underscoring the domestic political motivations behind American rhetoric.