Strait pressure rises as Tehran rejects the European Union’s position, Iran’s spokesman Esmail Baghaei says EU practice what preach instead of lecturing Iran on maritime law while this dispute centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil chokepoint.
Iran’s spokesman Esmail Baghaei criticized the EU on Saturday after EU chief Kaja Kallas accused Iran of breaking international law, specifically claiming that Tehran illegally restricted naval transit through the strategic waterway following U.S. and Israeli military actions.
Baghaei then reminded Brussels of its quiet approval of U.S. and Israeli military moves, condemned the EU for ignoring direct armed aggression, and stated that Europe deliberately looked away from actions targeting Iranians while preaching international law to Tehran.
Iran first restricted the strait after hostilities erupted on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched uncoordinated military actions against Iran, prompting Tehran to close the waterway to vessels from adversaries and their allies.
This closure shook global energy markets immediately as oil prices spiked within days, and President Trump announced a two-week pause on attacks in early April while his popularity dropped further due to rising gasoline prices at home.
Tehran responded by closing the strait again on Saturday after Trump kept a naval blockade in place, and Baghaei argued that no international rule bans Iran from protecting its own coast against military aggression through the waterway.
The EU has not imposed sanctions on Washington or Jerusalem, many EU members allowed their airspace for actions near Iran, and energy analysts warn that any prolonged closure of the strait would hurt European and Asian importers directly.
Baghaei says EU practice what preach remains his core position as he demanded Brussels examine its own conduct first, and the world now watches how the European Union will respond to Iran’s formal diplomatic stance.