. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman’s response to assertions by the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the US National Security Council

We regard the repeated claims and accusations of the American authorities against Iran in connection with maritime security in the Persian Gulf as completely baseless.

Nasser Kanani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to statements by John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator at the US National Security Council, regarding maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, stated, “We regard the repeated claims and accusations of the American authorities against Iran in connection with maritime security in the Persian Gulf as completely baseless.”
Kanani added, “Iran is the most effective country providing maritime security in the Persian Gulf and regional as well as international waters, and has always guaranteed the safe passage of ships and vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.”
He said, “The recent action taken in relation to the two seized ships was due to violations by these two ships as documented by judicial rulings and with the aim of dealing with behaviors and actions that violate international maritime regulations.”
Kanani said, “The accusations against Iran by the American official are made while this country has been busy creating and intensifying instability and insecurity in the Persian Gulf region for decades with its interventionist and destructive policies, and the new accusations against Iran are also an excuse and are aimed at justifying the continuation or intensification of interventionist presence in the region.”
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said, “Contrary to the statements of the American official, it is the American government that is endangering the security of shipping and official and international trade by resorting to actions that violate the law of the seas and seizing and confiscating some Iranian oil cargoes in international waters, and is brazenly leveling accusations against Iran.”
He emphasized, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has the widest border and the most interests and responsibility in maintaining and ensuring security in the Persian Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz, and the presence and destabilizing actions of American forces double Iran’s responsibility in ensuring the security of the region and the Strait of Hormuz and in dealing with lawbreakers.”
Kanani said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the continued presence of foreign military forces in the waters of the Persian Gulf as a threat to the security of navigation in this strategic waterway and believes that the countries of the region have the ability to protect the peace and security of navigation in it without the presence of foreigners.