Iran warns against ‘extra-regional’ military presence in Strait of Hormuz

Iran has warned against the presence of what it described as “extra-regional powers” in the Strait of Hormuz, following statements by the UK and France expressing support for freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Strait of Hormuz “is not a theatre for the military display of extra-regional powers”, adding that Iran viewed any foreign military movements in the area with serious concern.

“Iran, as the responsible power and guarantor of the Strait’s security, warns with sensitivity to any military movement in this waterway,” Gharibabadi wrote on X.

He also said that responsibility for the security of the Strait lies with the coastal states, warning that those he described as “crisis-makers” would be held accountable for the consequences of any “adventurism”.

The remarks come after Britain and France signalled their readiness to help safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints for global energy supplies.