Iran Warns U.S Interference In Strait Of Hormuz Will Escalate Tensions & Delay Reopening

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that if any western country including the United States tried to challenge Iran’s right to control the Strait of Hormuz, then regional tensions would escalate and the reopening of the waterway could be delayed.

He told Gulf neighbours and European countries to adhere to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the US.

Aragachi added that the critical waterway would return to its prewar levels in just a month if other countries, especially the west does not try to interfere in the plan.

Previously, Iran’s leadership had also criticised the mine-clearing mission being planned by U.S allies in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Foreign Minister said that it was U.S President Trump’s responsibility to help in de-escalating the situation and ensuring that the hostilities end and that the commitments under the agreement are implemented properly.

The remarks came after U.S carried out air strikes on Iran’s missile and drone storage depots and also coastal radar sites.

The U.S Central Command said that the strikes were in response to Iran’s attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, M/V Ever Lovely as it was leaving the Strait of Hormuz using the route close to the Oman coast.

Iran did not claim the responsibility of the attack.

However, after U.S renwed the attacks, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted locations where U.S forces are deployed.