New Delhi: Iranian deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh on Friday asserted that Tehran remains a “responsible power” in the Persian Gulf and dismissed claims that Iran has shut down the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue here, Khatibzadeh emphasised that Iran continues to act as a stabilising force despite the escalating war with Israel and the US.
“Iran is an anchor of stability in the Strait of Hormuz. We will announce if we close the Strait of Hormuz. We have not closed it. We are a responsible power,” he said.
The visiting Iranian minister clarified that there is no immediate intention to block the waterway. “We have not yet closed the Strait of Hormuz. We have no intention to do that until further notice,” he added, describing Iran as a key guarantor of maritime stability because of its presence and active role in the region. The minister maintained that Iran remains committed to international law and freedom of navigation, arguing that it is the US that has endangered maritime security.
The statement on Hormuz Strait comes as a reprieve as there have been concerns, including in India, that Iran has blocked the strait creating fears of scarcity of oil and spiking oil prices globally. Khatibzadeh represented the Iranian foreign minister at the Raisina Dialogue who postponed his visit due to the war.
Khatibzadeh criticised US President Donald Trump, questioning Washington’s stance on Iran’s political future. He remarked that it was ironic for the US president to talk about shaping Iran’s leadership when he cannot control local political appointments at home.
“President Trump is asking for a leadership change in Iran while he can’t even appoint the mayor of New York. Can you imagine this colonial approach? While he would like to see democracy at home, he would like to topple the democratically elected President of Iran,” the minister said.
Describing the conflict as an “existential war”, the Iranian deputy foreign minister accused the US and Israel of launching an unprovoked aggression based on “flat lies” and the “delusion of a Greater Israel”. “What is being done by Americans and Israelis today is against international law and norms. There was no provocation from Iran. My country is under attack based on flat lies that Iran was imposing a threat,” Khatibzadeh alleged.
He warned of a firm response. “We have no option but to hit wherever the Americans are originating their attack from.”
He alleged that “false-flag operations” by Mossad were being used to expand the conflict to areas like Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Khatibzadeh also condemned the targeting of state officials as a “dangerous” and “unprecedented” norm in international relations. The minister, who also serves as president of the Institute for Political and International Studies, said, “India and Iran share a chess mentality, not like the American football mentality. Diplomacy down the road is the only option.”
