Speaking in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov late on Friday, Iran’s top diplomat emphasized his country’s seriousness in defending its sovereignty following a month-long aggression imposed by the criminal regimes of the US and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iran’s principled views regarding the defense of its rights and national interests are completely clear, he added.
Referring to the continued illegal attacks by criminal regimes of the United States and Israel on civilian infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, historical and cultural sites, as well as residential areas, he emphasized Iran’s determination to continue firmly defending its sovereignty.
The existing insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz is deep rooted in the US-Israeli military aggressions, Araghchi said.
He pointed to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to the US and Israeli vessels and other parties involved in the military aggression against Iran, noting, “Preventing the passage of vessels belonging to the aggressors and their allies is the legal right of Iran as a coastal state.”
The Iranian authorities are being fully aware of their responsibilities to ensure maritime security and safety in this waterway, and have taken necessary measures to defend Iran’s sovereignty and national security and to prevent aggressors from exploiting this waterway to commit aggressive actions against Iran, he stated.
The passage of vessels belonging to other countries through the Strait of Hormuz is carried out in coordination with the Iranian authorities, Araghchi said.
The Russian foreign minister, for his part, once again condemned the US-Israeli aggression, emphasized the need to respect the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and expressed Russia’s readiness to continue consultations to help reduce tensions and restore security and stability in the region, Lavrov added.
The two sides exchanged views on regional developments and the consequences of the continued military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran.
MNA
