Iran dismisses US account of attacks on Iranian oil tankers, says it’s acting…

💬 Iran dismisses US account of attacks on Iranian oil tankers, says it’s acting in self-defense 📌 Tehran, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has dismissed the US narrative about its attacks on Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, saying Iran is acting in self-defense in the face of a maritime blockade and economic war imposed by Washington. Baqaei made the remarks on Monday during his weekly press briefing in Tehran, commenting on US claims that its attacks on three Iranian oil tankers over the weekend had been in response to Iran’s firing of missiles at two American warships. ​ “Their account is completely untrue. The Islamic Republic of Iran is acting in self-defense in response to the continued naval blockade and ongoing economic warfare. Under these circumstances, Iran’s actions, including defensive strikes against US military bases or warships, clearly fall within its inherent right to self-defense, a right explicitly enshrined in and recognized under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter,” the spokesperson said. ​ He also dismissed US threats of further attacks on Iranian oil tankers in the event of strikes on American warships, saying that it is not a matter of honor for a country to resort to such threats and attack commercial vessels in response to what it describes as attacks on its warships. ​ The spokesperson rejected claims that Iran is the party hindering safety and security in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the allegations as a mere lie. ​ He said insecurity in the strategic waterway was the result of the US-Israeli war of aggression launched on February 28, arguing that there had been no problem whatsoever with navigation through the Strait of Hormuz prior to that date. ​ “The Strait of Hormuz ran into problems due to the attack of the United States and the Zionist regime on Iran, and also the misuse of the territory of countries on the southern coasts of the Persian Gulf. As long as this situation continues, there can be no talk of security in the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said. ​ He added: “The problem does not lie with Iran’s measures. The problem stems from the military aggression of the US and the Zionist regime, which still continues in the form of the naval blockade, economic warfare, and assaults on Iranian commercial vessels.” ​ Responding to a question about media speculation over US efforts to reach a new deal with Iran on its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz, the spokesperson said Iran’s stance was clear, adding that the US should take measures to resolve insecurity in the region and the Strait of Hormuz, since it was the party that had created the insecurity. ​ “This is possible through a stop to all acts of aggression and intervention, economic sanctions, and the naval blockade,” he said, adding that Iran had clearly expressed its stance since the beginning of the diplomatic process and in the memorandum of understanding it signed with the US on June 18. ​ “The problem lies with the American side, which violated all its commitments only 22 to 23 days after the MoU was signed,” he noted, emphasizing that “the ball has been in the US court for quite some time, as the United States was both the party that initiated the military aggression and the one that began violating the MoU it had itself signed.” ​ He also said Iran had signed the MoU after taking into account all the circumstances and considerations, adding that the document served Iran’s national interests. ​ “The enemy’s bad faith and breach of its commitments, as well as the United States’ violation of the agreement, should not lead us to question our own achievements. We responsibly enter . . . 📲 ​