Iran warns of ‘decisive, immediate response’ to French, British warships in Hormuz
Iran has warned of “a decisive and immediate response” to any deployment of military vessels by European countries in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the Islamic Republic alone holds the authority to maintain security in the strategic maritime corridor.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi made the remarks in a post on his X account on Sunday, after France and Britain announced their decision to deploy warships to the region.
“Whether in times of war or peace, only the Islamic Republic of Iran can establish security in this strait and will not allow any country to interfere in such matters,” he said.
Gharibabadi said that France has announced plans to send its flagship aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, while the UK has indicated it will send a warship to the area in an effort to allegedly preserve freedom of navigation.
“Any deployment and stationing of extra-regional destroyers around the Strait of Hormuz, under the pretext of protecting shipping, is nothing but an escalation of the crisis, the militarization of a vital waterway, and an attempt to cover up the true root of insecurity in the region,” he warned.
He also emphasized that maritime security cannot be ensured through military posturing, particularly by those nations who, by “supporting, participating in, or remaining silent in the face of aggression and blockade, are themselves part of the problems.”
The Iranian diplomat further pointed out that the root of regional insecurity lies in the illegal use of force, consistent threats aimed at coastal states, and a disregard for international law as outlined in the United Nations Charter.
“The Strait of Hormuz is not the common property of extra-regional powers; it is a sensitive waterway adjacent to coastal states,” Gharibabadi said.
“The exercise of Iran’s sovereignty over this strait and the establishment of its legal frameworks fall within Iran’s rights as a coastal state,” he added.
France and Britain are leading efforts to create an international coalition to break Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, but only after a deal between the US and Iran is secured.
In response to the US-Israeli aggression, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping associated with the aggressors and their allies, sending oil prices soaring.
Iran began enforcing much stricter controls last month following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a blockade targeting Iranian vessels and ports.
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