Iranian VP Aref Asserts Sovereignty Over Strait of Hormuz Amid U.S. Accusations

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin that Iran has no choice but to exercise sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Aref accused the United States of creating the current conditions in the waterway and insisted that the U.S. must pay the cost. The Iranian Students' News Agency provided detailed context, including the meeting with Mishustin and the U.S. accusations. TASS reported a more concise version, stating that Tehran has no choice but to place the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian forces' control. While both outlets confirmed the VP's assertion of Iranian sovereignty, they diverged in detail: the Iranian Students' News Agency named Aref and included the meeting with Mishustin, while TASS omitted these specifics. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transportation, remains a focal point of international geopolitical tensions. The statement reflects Iran's broader concerns over foreign influence in its strategic maritime regions and underscores its diplomatic engagement with Russia. The U.S. is accused of actions that threaten Iran's national security in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim echoed by the Iranian Students' News Agency.