WANA (Aug 16) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei outlined the latest developments surrounding the Islamabad agreement, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the positions of other countries, saying Tehran considers the current insecurity in the waterway to be the result of US and Israeli actions.
Baghaei said Iran, as one of the coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz, has the right to take necessary measures to protect its national interests and security.
In an interview with Iran’s Holy Defence Media, Baghaei said maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had continued without major problems until March 1, 2026, but the use of the waterway and the southern shores of the Persian Gulf by the United States and Israel to plan and prepare attacks against Iran changed the security situation in the region.
He said that given the continuation of maritime sanctions, US threats and military activities, it is not possible to speak of full security and safety in the Strait of Hormuz under the current circumstances.
Baghaei also referred to Washington’s statements about imposing a naval blockade on Iran, saying the continuation of such threats and actions, along with violations of the understanding on ending the war, has prevented the conditions necessary for security in the Strait from being established.
Baghaei: The June 18 Understanding Was Violated Less Than Three Weeks Later
Addressing the status of the Islamabad agreement, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said the understanding on ending the war, signed by the presidents of Iran and the United States on June 18, was met with widespread violations by the US side less than three weeks later.
Baghaei pointed to what he described as a long history of US violations of commitments in relations with Iran, citing the Algiers Accords, the JCPOA and agreements concerning the release of Iran’s frozen assets as examples.
He said that around 23 days after the latest understanding was signed, the United States cited an incident involving several vessels in southern routes and issued new threats against Iran. This was followed by attacks, the cancellation of oil exemptions and the reinstatement of the naval blockade, which, according to Baghaei, effectively amounted to Washington violating key commitments under the June 18 understanding.
Iran and Oman Reach Agreement on Safe Shipping Route
Baghaei said Iran and Oman have been holding intensive talks to establish a safe shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, with negotiations beginning around three months ago, coinciding with the signing of the June 18 understanding.
According to Baghaei, the talks have made positive progress over the past three weeks despite what he described as US interference, and the two countries have reached an agreement on a shipping traffic map.
He said the process was the result of cooperation among several Iranian institutions, coordinated by the Foreign Ministry and involving defense, security and environmental authorities.
Baghaei said discussions were still underway on several details, including a joint statement to be issued by Iran and Oman. He added that further details would be announced once the statement is finalized.
He stressed that the Iran-Oman understanding is an independent agreement between the two coastal states aimed at ensuring the safe passage of vessels while preserving the sovereignty of both countries.
However, Baghaei said the full normalization of conditions in the Strait of Hormuz and the return of commercial shipping to normal would depend on the end of US military actions and interference, the lifting of the naval blockade and compensation for violations of commitments over the past two months.
Baghaei: Iran Relies on Its Own Capabilities Despite Foreign Support
Asked about the role of Russia and China, the Iranian spokesman said Tehran’s first priority is relying on its domestic capabilities to defend itself and overcome crises.
Referring to the Iran-Iraq War, Baghaei said Iran had learned throughout its history that when war is imposed on the country, it must be able to rely on its own capabilities.
He added that Iran’s defense capabilities and resilience have developed significantly over the past four decades and that these capabilities have played a role in confronting the recent wars.
At the same time, Baghaei stressed that Iran also makes use of the capabilities of friendly countries and described diplomacy as an important front in countering external pressure.
Baghaei: Many Countries Consider Iran’s Defense Legitimate
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said Iran has sought to prevent what he described as distortions of the facts in international institutions.
According to Baghaei, the United States and some of its regional partners sought to pass resolutions against Iran at the UN Security Council that made no reference to the initial attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, while criticizing Iran’s actions in response as an exercise of its right to self-defense.
Baghaei said Iran’s diplomatic engagement with various countries, including Russia and China, helped prevent a repetition of that process. He added that the same approach was pursued at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors.
He also said many developing countries and members of the Non-Aligned Movement share Iran’s position, arguing that the growing use of force and threats in international relations would ultimately undermine the sovereignty of developing countries.
According to Baghaei, these countries view the actions of the United States and Israel as violations of international law and regard Iran’s defense of its interests as falling within its legal rights.