Iran rejects US claim regarding the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has strongly criticized Washington’s policy towards Iran and the region amid the ongoing tension with the US. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghai cited a novel by renowned Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky to criticize US policy.

Baghai said that the US system of governance and foreign policy is relying too much on misrepresentation in the matter of Iran and the region. He shared an excerpt from Dostoevsky’s book The Brothers Karamazov.

The Iranian spokesperson described this excerpt as a reflection of current US policy. According to him, continuous belief in lies deprives a person of the ability to distinguish between truth and misrepresentation.

This statement comes at a time when the differences between Iran and the US over the Strait of Hormuz have become more prominent.  The two countries have different positions on the future of this important sea passage.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected US President Donald Trump’s recent statement. Trump had said that after Iran’s defeat, the US could declare the Strait of Hormuz American territory.

Gharibabadi responded by saying that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be made American territory through any statement or military force. He reiterated Iran’s position on sovereignty.

According to the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, the Strait of Hormuz was Iranian in the past and will remain Iranian in the future. He said that the decision to open or close the strait will be at the command of Iran.

Tehran’s position shows the centrality of the Strait of Hormuz in the current dispute. Iran considers it one of the main means of putting pressure on the US.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital sea route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. It is of exceptional importance for the world’s energy trade.

According to Reuters, under normal circumstances, about 20 percent of the world’s oil trade passes through this route. The current crisis has increased concerns about this sea route.

In the latest situation, maritime transport has also been severely affected. As a result, there is a risk of increasing pressure on the global energy market, shipping costs and oil prices.

Recent incidents involving commercial ships in the Gulf have also further complicated the situation. The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of attacking one of its ships on August 14. Iran did not immediately respond to this accusation.

The impact of a prolonged blockage in the Strait of Hormuz will not be limited to the United States and Iran. Gulf countries, Asian import economies and the global energy market could be directly affected.

The situation is of particular importance for countries like Pakistan. Rising global prices of crude oil and other energy products could increase import costs.

In addition, marine insurance and freight costs could also increase.  This is likely to ultimately affect the prices of various imported goods.

Direct talks between the US and Iran are currently at a standstill. However, diplomatic contacts in the region have not completely ceased. Some countries are playing a role in the contacts to reduce tensions.

Iran’s tough stance on the Strait of Hormuz and the US’s continued pressure make the matter appear complicated. The statements from both sides seem to limit the chances of an immediate agreement.

However, the global importance of the Strait of Hormuz also creates diplomatic pressure on both sides. A prolonged closure would affect the global energy market, while rising prices could become a problem for many economies, including the US.

Overall, Iran’s latest statements have made it clear that Tehran considers the Strait of Hormuz to be an important part of its strategic position. On the other hand, Washington’s tough statements have further widened the scope of the dispute.

In the coming days, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain important for the global oil market, maritime trade, and US-Iran diplomatic relations.