Tehran: Any parallel routes or decision-making processes ignoring Iran's strategic considerations will not guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, says Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi. Reacting to recent attempts aimed at establishing parallel shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz outside the joint framework administered by Iran and Oman, Kazem Gharibabadi emphasized the importance of Iran's involvement in ensuring maritime security.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Gharibabadi asserted that safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz is not guaranteed through ambiguous arrangements, parallel routes, or decisions that ignore the considerations of Iran as a coastal state. He conveyed this message in a post on his X account, stating that any valid framework must be grounded in direct coordination with Iran and aligned with the provisions of Article 5 of the Islamabad MoU.

Gharibabadi further warned that without meeting these criteria, any designated parallel routes would face suspension. The statement highlights Iran's insistence on being a central player in the management of this crucial maritime passage, underscoring the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.