Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, has described a proposed U.S. initiative at the United Nations Security Council regarding the Strait of Hormuz as biased and lacking legitimacy. He said Washington was attempting to portray the consequences of regional conflicts and military pressure in a way that unfairly targets Iran, while, according to him, Iran itself remains under threat and pressure. Gharibabadi said ignoring the role of the United States and Israel in regional crises undermines the legal and moral credibility of any proposal related to freedom of maritime navigation. He also said that any resolution that fails to recognize Iran’s right to self-defense and the realities on the ground would be political in nature and “doomed to fail” from the outset. The remarks come as the United States is reportedly discussing a draft resolution with several regional countries aimed at easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
