Iran has condemned a reported United States naval blockade of its ports, describing the move as a “grave violation” of its sovereignty amid heightened tensions that have unsettled a fragile ceasefire arrangement.
In a letter sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and seen by AFP, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said, “The imposition of a maritime blockade constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,”
He further warned that the move also breaches international maritime law, stating, “The “unlawful” blockade also “constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea,” Iravani added.”
According to the report, US President Donald Trump ordered the restriction on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal waters in the Gulf on Sunday, following the collapse of weekend peace talks.
He reportedly warned that any Iranian attack boats challenging the blockade would be destroyed.
The measure took effect at 1400 GMT on Monday, despite a recently agreed two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar have continued, with both urging adherence to the truce as diplomatic channels remain open.
Responding, António Guterres called on “all parties” to uphold freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage after both sides escalated restrictions affecting the waterway.
The strait, through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass, has become a major flashpoint as Washington and Tehran seek leverage in ongoing negotiations.
Iravani warned that the “unlawful” blockade “poses a grave threat to international peace and security and obviously exacerbates the risk of escalation in an already highly volatile region.”
In a separate communication, the Iranian envoy also urged Middle Eastern countries hosting US military installations to “cease their internationally wrongful acts.”
He added that Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan should pay “compensation for all material and moral damage sustained,” he said.
