Ships must coordinate with Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; “We are also a superpower”

Strait of Hormuz; “Iran considers itself the guardian of this waterway”
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Tehran: In response to a question about US President Donald Trump’s recent statements about helping ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a “humanitarian operation,” Ismail Baghaei strongly rejected the claim, saying, “Those responsible for responding to these types of illegal movements and actions are well prepared and know how to defend the country’s national interests.”
Referring to the statement this morning by the command of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya (PBUH) Central Headquarters, he added, “The world does not accept America’s humanitarian claims and does not believe that this country can get out of this self-made quagmire that has caused many problems for everyone by repeating past mistakes.”
The Iranian diplomatic spokesman stated in a firm tone: “America must have learned the lesson that it cannot use the language of threats and force against Iran, and Iran considers itself the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz. Certainly, ships and ship owners know very well that in order to ensure their security, they must coordinate with the competent Iranian authorities.”

Iran and Oman; the need to define a joint mechanism for safe traffic
Regarding the Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to regional countries, especially Oman, Beqaei stated, referring to the two countries’ status as coastal countries of the Strait of Hormuz: “We and Oman are coastal countries of the Strait of Hormuz, and to ensure safe shipping traffic, we must define a specific mechanism.”

He emphasized: “Our goal in managing the Strait of Hormuz is safe traffic through this waterway.”

Negotiations: “US response received through Pakistan”
In an important part of the meeting, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman explained the latest status of the diplomatic process and confirmed that the US response to Iran’s proposals was received through Pakistan.
He said without providing further details: “Let me not discuss the details of the issues raised now because they are being reviewed. Of course, you can well guess that the US is used to excessive demands and unreasonable demands and it is not easy for it to give up this excessive habit.”
Referring to Washington’s fluctuating behavior, Baqaei stated: “We are still facing a party that continues to change its views regularly and also raises issues that may cause problems in practice for any diplomatic process. Basically, it was the US that did not allow either of the two diplomatic processes that began last year to reach a conclusion.”

“We are not talking about anything other than a complete cessation of war”
In response to media speculation about the details of Iran’s 14-point proposal, including issues such as enrichment and nuclear materials, the Iranian diplomatic spokesman called these matters largely speculation and clarified: “At this stage, we are not talking about anything other than a ‘complete cessation and end of war’. Which direction we take in the future will be decided in due time.”

He emphasized that the issues raised about enrichment or nuclear materials are merely speculation and Iran is not talking about any details at this stage.

Welcome to a collective security mechanism in the region
In response to a question about regional security plans, Beqaei rejected the three-stage phasing published in the media, but emphasized: “This does not mean that we do not welcome the design of a collective security mechanism for the region. It is time for the countries of the region to learn from recent events and cooperate to create an endogenous mechanism in the region. The countries of the region saw that the presence of the United States in the region caused division and insecurity. We have always been a harbinger of adopting mechanisms to strengthen trust with the countries of the region to create collective security.”

“We are also a superpower” / Criticism of Trump’s projection
In response to a question about the power of the United States, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized with the phrase “We are also a superpower” that Iran defends its national interests by relying on its capacities. He called Trump’s statements about the lack of a decision-making system in Iran “projection” and said: “Everything is being done in the best way in Tehran. The decision-making mechanism in Iran is clear. The number of resignations, dismissals, and confusion in decision-making in the United States and its manifestation in the contradictions and frequent changes in the positions of American officials clearly show which side is having difficulty in making decisions.”

Cancellation of visa exemption for Iran and Lebanon
In response to a question about the cancellation of visa exemption between Iran and Lebanon, Beqaei said: "We had an agreement with Lebanon long ago on visa exemption for Iranian and Lebanese citizens, but some time ago the Lebanese government unilaterally canceled this exemption for Iranian citizens, and of course, the Iranian Foreign Ministry took the same action in return."
He added: "At the same time, in order to avoid any problems, we have created special facilities, including facilities for issuing urgent visas at entry points."

Reaction to the UAE's withdrawal from OPEC and criticism of Abu Dhabi's behavior
He also warned about some news that the UAE had purchased Israeli weapons: "Any cooperation and collusion with the Zionist regime, which has a clear history of creating insecurity in the region, will only exacerbate insecurity. We warn all countries in the region against thinking that they can guarantee their security by getting closer to the Zionist regime."

Call on Europe: Adopt a more independent approach
The Iranian diplomatic spokesman, referring to the German officials’ admission that the US entry into the war would cost Europe dearly, considered these statements to be a statement of fact and emphasized: “We hold all countries that actively or appeasingly participated in this military aggression responsible. It is time for European countries to courageously see the consequences of blindly following US policies and decide to adopt a more independent approach to developments, including in West Asia and issues related to Iran.”
He also recommended, in response to the French and British proposal on the Strait of Hormuz: “The best help is to prevent the escalation of US illegal actions in the region. The problem with international shipping is not necessarily in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, but rather the US has made international waters unsafe due to repeated piracy against Iranian and other countries’ ships.”

Condemning the US action against Cuba and the mistreatment of Iranians living in the UAE
Baqai called the recent US threats against Cuba “very worrying” and “a gross violation of international law, human rights and humanitarian law,” and warned that this pattern of behavior could threaten peace and security in other regions of the world. He also responded to reports of the UAE’s mistreatment of some Iranians living there, calling the action “inappropriate,” saying: “We must keep in mind that these days are passing and what remains is the continuation of neighborliness between the countries of the region. Turning the citizens of a country into a lever for exerting political pressure is inappropriate.”

Relations with Iraq: “Among friends, manners are discarded”
In response to a question about the lack of a telephone call with the new Iraqi Prime Minister, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman emphasized the depth of relations between the two countries with the phrase “Among friends, manners have no place” and said: “The relationship between Iran and Iraq is very friendly and we have always supported independence and independent decision-making in Iraq to exercise its sovereignty.”