Former Iranian president Rouhani said the Strait of Hormuz must be a secure
waterway, not a battlefield. Iran does not seek war or provoke conflict, but the
strait’s prosperity and freedom of navigation must be conditional on protecting
Iran’s national security. A strait without ships is worthless; Iran supports
international trade but not at the cost of its own security. Rouhani said Iran
and Oman sit on opposite sides of the strait and any passage that threatens
either side’s security is unacceptable. Iran observes the international-law
principle of innocent passage only where its security is fully guaranteed, and
will make full use of its strategic national resources to defend its legitimate
rights.
