Aggressors fully responsible for any instability affecting Strait of Hormuz: Iran FM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the aggressors are fully responsible for any instability affecting the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The top diplomat made the remarks in a meeting with Chung Byung-ha, the visiting special envoy of the South Korean foreign ministry, in Tehran on Wednesday.

Araghchi referred to the military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran as the cause of the current insecurity in the Persian Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz.

"Iran, as a littoral state of the Strait of Hormuz, has adopted measures in accordance with international law and its domestic regulations to safeguard Iran’s security and national interests against the US's and the Zionist regime's aggression and threats," he stated.

Iran closed the waterway to the enemies and their allies following the launch of the aggression on February 28.

The Islamic Republic announced the reopening of the chokehold to commercial traffic following the announcement of a ceasefire by US President Donald Trump on April 7.

The country, however, imposed a total closure on the waterway on April 18 after Trump said the US was continuing an unlawful blockade it had imposed on Iran in continuation of unlawful aggression towards the country.

"Naturally, responsibility for the consequences arising from this situation lies with the aggressing parties," Araghchi added.

He, meanwhile, stressed the necessity of all countries adopting a clear and firm position in condemning the aggression and the brutal crimes committed by the aggressors against the Iranian people.

Concluding his remarks, the foreign minister emphasized the importance of strengthening relations between Iran and South Korea and expressed the Islamic Republic’s readiness to cooperate in this regard.

For his part, the South Korean official voiced hope that, through the continuation of diplomacy, the aggression would face a conclusive end and peace and stability would be established in the region.

He also conveyed the greetings of the country's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to his Iranian counterpart, describing enhancement of relations with the Islamic Republic as very important.

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