Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on March 24 (local time) that in a March 23 phone call Abbas Araghchi told South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun he had outlined Iran’s rules for transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the ministry, Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz is “closed to ships belonging to the aggressor camp” — which he identified as the United States and Israel — and to their backers and sponsors. He added that vessels from other countries can transit the strait without issue so long as they coordinate with Iranian authorities.
Araghchi accused the United States and the “Zionist regime” (Israel) of carrying out military aggression against Iran during nuclear negotiations. He said the resulting instability across the Middle East, including in the Strait of Hormuz, is a direct consequence of that alleged illegal aggression.
The Foreign Ministry said Cho expressed condolences and regret over the deaths of numerous Iranian civilians, including students from Minab Elementary School.
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Choi Jin-kyung (highjean@yna.co.kr)
