BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has said Tehran is prepared to take "any action" it considers necessary to maintain its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, including the possibility of renewed military conflict.
According to comments reported by the Fars News Agency, Gharibabadi said Iran would not accept measures that, in its view, would weaken its control over the strategic waterway.
He argued that opening a southern shipping lane closer to the Omani coast would prevent Iran from fully exercising its sovereignty in the area.
Gharibabadi also stated that "any European ship that wants to come near the Strait of Hormuz is our legitimate target."
His remarks come amid continued regional tensions and international concern over maritime security in one of the world's busiest energy shipping routes.
There has been no immediate response from European governments to the deputy foreign minister's comments.
