AiBotTehran, Iran – The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly protested against the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) statements concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway in the Middle East that has been a focal point of regional tensions. In a stern rebuke, the spokesperson emphasized that the IAEA’s role is to verify and monitor Iran’s nuclear activities, not to send political messages.
The statement was made in response to recent comments by Rafael Grossi, the Director-General of the IAEA, who warned that the Strait of Hormuz could be closed if Iran were to block the agency’s inspectors from accessing its nuclear sites. Grossi also stated that the IAEA would not compromise on its independence in monitoring Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson shot back at Grossi’s comments, saying that the IAEA’s role is to verify and monitor Iran’s compliance with international nuclear agreements, not to send “political messages” regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The spokesperson emphasized that the Strait is a critical waterway through which a significant portion of the world’s oil exports pass, and that any discussions about its safety or security should be conducted through diplomatic channels.
The Iranian government has long been sensitive to any perceived interference by foreign powers in its domestic affairs, and the IAEA’s statements were seen as an attempt to exert pressure on Tehran. The IAEA’s criticism of Iran’s nuclear activities has been a point of contention between the two parties for years, with the agency accusing Iran of failing to provide adequate access to its nuclear facilities.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint in regional tensions between Iran and the United States, which has maintained a naval presence in the Gulf since 2019. The US has accused Iran of orchestrating a series of attacks on oil tankers in the region, which Tehran has denied. The Strait’s strategic location has made it a critical artery for global oil shipments, and any closure or disruption to its traffic would have significant implications for the global economy.
The IAEA’s statements on the Strait of Hormuz have been seen as an attempt to underscore the agency’s role in ensuring the safe and secure passage of nuclear materials and personnel. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson’s sharp rebuke suggests that Tehran will not tolerate any external pressure or interference in its affairs. As tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, the Strait of Hormuz will likely remain a major point of contention between the two parties.