Mottaki: Freedom of Navigation in Strait of Hormuz Cannot Be Discussed Without Addressing Cause of Restrictions
Iranian lawmaker Manouchehr Motaki has said that any discussion of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must also address the root cause of restrictions on shipping in the strategic waterway, which were imposed following U.S. military aggression against Iran.
Iranian Parliament’s Executive Council Member for the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Manouchehr Mottaki said discussions on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be accepted without addressing the source of restrictions in the waterway.
Mottaki, who is leading an Iranian parliamentary delegation to Arusha, Tanzania, met with Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal bin Nasser Al-Maawali, Speaker of the Omani Parliament, on the sidelines of the 153rd IPU Assembly.
During the meeting, Mottaki said the United States does not adhere to the norms of negotiations, adding that Iran understands the difficult circumstances facing the US because of its failure to achieve its objectives in the war.
“Trump has martyred our Leader and left our nation mourning, and now his main concern is the upcoming congressional election because, according to opinion polls, they are not in a good position,” Mottaki said.
The Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, Eslamshahr and Pardis MP added that the United States was seeking an electoral victory at any cost, whether through negotiations or war.
“Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared for war or any other development, and our enemies should be concerned about the nature of our military response,” he said.
Mottaki added that the United States had demonstrated its concern by sending messages requesting negotiations during the Iranian delegation’s visit to the United Nations General Assembly.
He further said the US aggression against Iran had created security problems in the Strait of Hormuz.
“If anyone intends to speak about freedom of navigation at this assembly, they must also refer to an end to the war and the naval blockade, because the Strait of Hormuz was operating under normal conditions before this war,” Mottaki said.
For his part, Al-Maawali stressed the deep and friendly relations between Oman and Iran, as well as his country’s efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among regional countries and prevent tensions.
“We use every opportunity at this assembly to help bring the views of regional and Islamic countries closer together and reach a common understanding,” the Omani parliament speaker said.