Iran has renewed its claim to unilateral authority over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, warning Gulf neighbors against aligning with the United States.
The statement, issued on Friday, follows a recent attack on a vessel near Oman that has underscored the fragility of the preliminary ceasefire in the region.
Tehran’s position marks a significant escalation in rhetoric, challenging the international consensus on the free passage of commercial traffic through the critical waterway.
The development comes as markets digest the implications of the vessel strike, which has already triggered a rush by oil buyers to secure stocks amid fears of renewed disruption.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had previously declared that the Strait would be administered by Tehran, a stance that directly contradicts international maritime law and the interests of major oil-exporting Gulf states.
The warning to Gulf nations not to side with Washington adds a diplomatic layer to the existing security concerns, potentially complicating regional cooperation on de-escalation.