New Delhi, April 13 (ANI): Amid escalating rhetoric over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Supreme Leader’s representative in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Sunday asserted that the vital maritime passage “belongs to all countries” and expressed hope for a return to stability despite ongoing tensions involving the United States.
“Actually, the Strait of Hormuz belongs to all countries. It’s not only for the United States of America. Before this war, the Strait of Hormuz was open, and all countries were benefiting from it. But unfortunately, due to the war, we have seen conflict and an insecure situation,” Ilahi told reporters.
He added that while Iran wants the waterway to remain open, the current situation remains unstable, with only limited maritime movement allowed.
Responding to remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential action against ships allegedly paying tolls to Iran, Ilahi dismissed the likelihood of escalation.
“I’m sure that they cannot do anything. Before this war, the Strait of Hormuz was open. We didn’t want to close it, and we are not going to act like bandits. We hope that no one in the world will suffer because of the situation. We also hope that conditions will soon improve and return to normal,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Trump on Sunday announced that the U.S. Navy would block maritime traffic entering the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions.
He further stated that the military would interdict any vessel in international waters found to have paid transit tolls to Tehran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the Iranian leadership for failing to uphold previous commitments. “Iran promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they knowingly failed to do so. This caused anxiety, dislocation, and pain to many people and countries throughout the world,” he wrote.
Addressing reported military threats, Trump also dismissed Tehran’s claims regarding its maritime capabilities, stating that much of Iran’s naval capacity had already been neutralized.
The escalation follows the breakdown of high-stakes negotiations in Islamabad, where despite prolonged discussions aimed at ending the conflict, both sides failed to reach an agreement, leaving the existing ceasefire in a fragile state. (ANI)
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