Iran warned Britain and France on Sunday that its armed forces would launch “a decisive and immediate response” to any warships sent to the Strait of Hormuz, after London sent a ship to the region.
“We remind them that both in times of war and times of peace, only the Islamic Republic of Iran can establish security in this strait and will not allow any country to interfere in such matters,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi. posted on X.
Britain and France are leading efforts to create an international coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Britain’s defense ministry announced on Saturday it would send a destroyer to the Middle East, arguing it would build trust between merchant ships and support mine-clearing efforts after hostilities end.
“The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of careful planning that will ensure the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition led jointly by the UK and France, to secure the Straits when conditions allow,” a ministry spokesman told AFP.
However, French President Emmanuel Macron clarified on Sunday that France “never envisaged” a naval deployment in the Strait of Hormuz, but a security mission that would be “coordinated with Iran”.
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At a two-day meeting in London in April involving more than 44 countries, military planners discussed the practicalities of a multinational mission led by the UK and France to protect navigation in the main waterway.
About 40 countries are thought to have agreed to take part in plans for the mission to free navigation in Hormuz.
Iran also warns against complying with US sanctions
The Iranian military also warned on Sunday that countries abiding by US sanctions against the Islamic Republic would face difficulties crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier this month, the US government imposed new sanctions on Iranian interests and warned ships not to pay authorities in Tehran to pass through the strait.
The United States and Bahrain have drafted a UN resolution, seen by AFP, calling on Iran to end restrictions on shipping through the waterway, which has become a major flashpoint since the outbreak of war on February 28.
“Countries that agree with the United States imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran will certainly face difficulties in crossing the strait,” army official Mohammad Akraminia told Iran’s official news agency IRNA on Sunday.
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“We have established a new legal and security system in the Strait of Hormuz. From now on, any ship that wants to pass through it must coordinate with us,” he added.
He said the system was “now in place” and would bring “economic, security and political gains”.
Before the US-Israel war against Iran began on February 28, about a fifth of the world’s oil was transported through the strait.
(bms)
The story has been updated to include Macron’s statement.
