IRNA reports Hossein Noushabadi, director-general for parliamentary and legal
affairs at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said Washington’s assertions about control
of the Strait of Hormuz are politically motivated and a passive response to
Iran’s demonstration of strength and strategic plans. He said US presidential
claims lack basis and conflict with international shipping rules and the UN
Convention on the Law of the Sea. Noushabadi added Iran holds political and
military primacy over the Strait of Hormuz, the global energy chokepoint, giving
Tehran leverage against external threats.
