No strategic rift ...
Page 1
The first message is that the Islamic Republic remains committed to the understanding on keeping the Strait open and ensuring the continuity of international shipping. However, that commitment does not mean accepting every proposed route or mechanism without review and agreement by the coastal states.
The second—and more important—message is that no technical or security mechanism in the Strait of Hormuz, however well-intentioned, can enjoy sufficient legitimacy or durability without the participation, consent, and respect for the legal rights of the coastal states, particularly Iran. This is not merely a political position; it is rooted in established principles of international law and the governance of international waterways.
The third message is that Iran distinguishes between the principle of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and the way maritime traffic is managed. As a result, opposition to certain proposed routes should not be construed as opposition to freedom of navigation or the security of global trade. Rather, it reflects Iran's insistence that implementation arrangements also align with the legal, security, and sovereignty concerns of the coastal states.
In essence, Tehran's message to the international community is that lasting security in the Strait of Hormuz can only be achieved when freedom of navigation is guaranteed alongside recognition of the sovereign rights and legal responsibilities of the coastal states.