HORMUZ “UNDER IRAN”
Since the US-Iran deal was signed last month, the sides have exchanged fire in the Gulf.
Tehran targeted a commercial ship it said had strayed from its approved route through the Strait of Hormuz, and US Central Command (CENTCOM) responded by saying it had struck 10 Iranian military targets.
Iran then hit US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, drawing condemnation from both Gulf states.
CENTCOM said on Wednesday it led a regional security dialogue hosted by Bahrain, held with defence leaders from 12 nations, mostly from the Gulf.
“Leaders underscored their shared commitment to the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said on X.
Gharibabadi responded on Thursday, saying the strait “is defined under Iran’s command, not CENTCOM”.
“A military summit in Bahrain cannot establish legal order and security for the Persian Gulf,” he said.
“The region’s security will be ensured through the end of interventions and the US withdrawal from the area, respect for countries’ sovereignty, and acceptance of new geopolitical realities – not under the military umbrella of America.”
Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tuesday that “when a war of this magnitude comes to an end … it is inevitable that there will be implementation challenges, incidents and differences of opinion, especially where parties such as the Israeli regime are concerned”.
On the Lebanon front, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has also been relatively quiet.
Iran-backed Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the wider Middle East war in March with rocket fire at Israel, triggering Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion.
Tehran has insisted any final deal should include an end to the Lebanon conflict and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the south, part of which they occupy.
