Speaking at a weekly press conference on Monday, Esmaeil Baqaei described the Strait of Hormuz as a highly important waterway for the entire world, saying Iran has always made extensive efforts to safeguard secure passage through the route and remains committed to ensuring that navigation is carried out with full safety.

He noted that the Strait of Hormuz lies within the waters of Iran and Oman and that the two littoral countries consider themselves responsible for ensuring safe transit for all nations.

Referring to developments after the US and the Zionist regime launched an unprovoked war of aggression that prompted Iran to adopt measures for its national security, the spokesman said such actions are permissible under international law.

He stated that the process is continuing and that Iran remains in constant contact with Oman to draft a mechanism capable of fulfilling that responsibility. According to Baqaei, expert-level meetings were held in Muscat last week and contacts are ongoing.

Commenting on claims regarding the collection of fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the spokesman said reducing the issue of new arrangements for ensuring safe transit in the waterway to merely a financial matter is a deviation from the main issue.

He noted that it is natural for any coastal country to receive payments for services it provides, but stressed that the core issue is ensuring secure navigation and taking measures to preserve national security.

Baqaei said the developments that have taken place since February 28 provide a legal basis for such measures, adding that if Iran and Oman, as the two coastal states, establish a mechanism for safe transit in accordance with international law, implementing such a mechanism will naturally involve costs.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Baqaei referred to recent discussions between the Chinese and US presidents regarding Iran and said Tehran has no disagreement with China over the Strait of Hormuz.

He stressed that Tehran also believes the necessary conditions for safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz must be ensured.

The spokesman said Iran’s insistence on a safe transit mechanism is intended to prevent a repeat of incidents that occurred over the past two or three months.

He further stated that it is the US that has caused insecurity in international waters and acts like a pirate, adding that China, as a major economic power, naturally has the right to demand from the US guarantees for the safe passage of its ships.