Iran says ships entering strait of Hormuz must cooperate after vessel seized

"In our view, the strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial ships, but they must cooperate with our naval forces."

"We have not created any obstacles, it is America that has created the blockade, and I hope this situation will end with the lifting of this illegal blockade imposed by America."

"As nations and governments around the world are discovering today, regional instability is a lose-lose situation for all parties, including the aggressors themselves"

"It should be clear to everyone now that Iran is invincible and will emerge stronger and more united whenever it is put under pressure."

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said commercial ships entering the Strait of Hormuz must cooperate with Iran’s naval forces. Reports described a ship seized by unauthorised personnel while anchored off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates near the southern entry to the strait, with the vessel taken toward Iranian waters. Araghchi said the strait remains open to commercial shipping but requires naval cooperation. He told UAE representatives that cooperation with Israel would not protect the Gulf state. He also claimed Iran is invincible and called for BRICS nations to condemn US and Israeli violations of international law. Iran has largely closed the strait since the start of a US-Israeli bombing campaign, and the US imposed a counterblockade of Iranian ports, leaving thousands of ships stranded.

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