Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that the Strait of Hormuz must be a safe passage, not a battlefield. We do not want war, nor do we intend to create conflict, but the prosperity and freedom of navigation in this strait must be predicated on ensuring Iran's national security. A strait without ships is worthless; we support international trade, but never at the expense of our own security. Rouhani added that Iran and Oman are located on opposite sides of the strait, and any passage that threatens the security of either side is unacceptable. We adhere to the principle of "innocent passage" under international law, but only if our security is fully guaranteed. At the same time, we will make good use of all national strategic resources to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests.
