Tehran, Apr 14: Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Amir Saeid Iravani, has strongly condemned the reported naval blockade on Iranian ports, calling it a “gross violation” of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to Iranian state media Press TV.
In a letter sent on Monday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the UN Security Council, Iravani described Washington’s move as an “illegal act of aggression” that threatens regional and international peace and security.
He said, “The imposition of a naval blockade is a gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” adding that the measure was publicly announced by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on April 12.
The ambassador stated that the US action violates Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force, and amounts to “a textbook example of aggression under international law.”
He further said the blockade violates key principles of international maritime law and interferes with the sovereign rights of Iran, as well as the rights of other states engaged in legitimate maritime trade.
Iravani said Iran “firmly and in the strongest possible terms rejects and condemns” the move, adding that Tehran reserves its “inherent right” to take all necessary and proportionate measures to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests.
He warned that the United States bears full responsibility for the consequences of what he called an “internationally wrongful act,” including its impact on regional and global peace and security.
Calling for urgent international action, the Iranian envoy urged the UN Security Council to condemn the blockade and take steps to prevent further escalation, saying the situation poses a serious threat to stability in an already volatile region.
He said the Islamic Republic of Iran has called on the UN Secretary-General and Security Council to ensure that the United States immediately halts what it described as unlawful actions against Iran.
Iravani also informed the UN that he was acting on instructions from his government to highlight ongoing “internationally wrongful acts” by the United States.
He requested that the letter be circulated as an official document of the UN Security Council.
Meanwhile, reports cited by CNN suggest that the United States Navy maintains a significant presence in the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and multiple destroyers, which could potentially be involved in maritime operations related to a blockade.
However, it remains unclear which specific vessels may be assigned such roles, as US naval assets are currently dispersed across the US Central Command area of operations.
The deployed fleet reportedly includes the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, along with several destroyers such as USS Bainbridge, USS Thomas Hudner, USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., USS Delbert D. Black, USS John Finn, USS Michael Murphy, USS Mitscher, USS Pinckney, USS Rafael Peralta, USS Spruance, and USS Milius. The Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, including USS Tripoli, USS New Orleans, and USS Rushmore, is also deployed in the region.
The naval formation is supported by multiple escort and logistics vessels and would require strategic movement through either the Suez Canal or around Africa to reach any potential operational zone for blockade activities.
The development comes after the US president reportedly imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports following talks in Pakistan that failed to reach an agreement. (Agency)
