New Delhi: Iran has called on India and other like-minded nations to denounce what it described as Israeli “military aggression” against its territory, saying such actions constitute a violation of international law.
Mohammad Javad Hosseini, deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy, also expressed hope that Pakistan would not take any steps that undermine Iran’s interests. His remarks came in response to questions about Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
Speculation has mounted that the U.S. may seek access to Pakistani military bases should it choose to escalate operations against Tehran.
Hosseini reaffirmed Tehran’s expectation that India, as a prominent voice of the Global South, would take a clear stand and condemn the attack on what he called a sovereign nation, citing a breach of international law.
"We believe every country, including India, should condemn it (Israeli military actions), not because of their relations with Iran but because these actions are in breach of global norms," he said.
Since hostilities began over a week ago, Israel and Iran have exchanged hundreds of missiles and drones targeting both cities and military infrastructure.
When asked whether Iran was considering closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, a senior Iranian diplomat declined to give a direct answer, stating only that “several options are on the table”.
The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 30% of the world’s daily oil supply. According to the International Energy Agency, even a short-term disruption could significantly impact global oil markets.
"We have many things on the table, but it doesn't mean that we are going to do it now. It depends on the situation and how the other players want to go," Hosseini said.
"If they want to solve the problem, definitely some of these things will be put aside," he added.
Asked about the possible impact of the hostilities with Israel on Iran's Chabahar port, the Iranian diplomat only said that any further escalation of tensions could have far-reaching implications for the flow of energy and other commodities.
"It is not just a matter of Chabahar; it's a matter of the whole region. If it escalates, it will definitely affect many things; definitely the flow of oil, shipments and commodities which are going through these channels will be affected," Hosseini said.
"Because of this, those countries who will be affected, it is better for them to think and to start stopping this aggression, to avoid any kind of negative effects on the economy of the region, which will definitely spread out to the whole world," he said.
(inputs from IANS)