Iran official blames US for Hormuz insecurity

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has asserted that Iran has been the guardian of security in the Strait of Hormuz for decades. He claimed the only reason safety was compromised in the last 40 days was due to an 'imposed war' by the United States and Israel. Baghaei stated that Iran, with the help of regional coastal states, can manage the waterway's security, but only if US interventions and the 'imposed war' end. The comments come amid ongoing tensions over the strategic chokepoint.