‘Special measures are being taken to ensure safe movement of ships from friendly countries like India’: Iran envoy | india news
New Delhi: Iran’s Ambassador to India Dr. Mohammad Fatahli spoke amid the ongoing tension. times of India on war narratives, on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and clarified Iran’s maritime approach during the war. He stressed that the conflict is an “illegal war” imposed on Iran. Reflecting on his diplomatic tenure, he highlighted public solidarity and deepening of bilateral ties, and called India a “true friend in difficult times”. Part:
Why: Many Indians sent aid to Iran. Tehran thanked India but then deleted some tweets. What happened?A: We have received a lot of contributions from all over India – from North to South and East to West. Donations are still coming in. We are truly grateful for the kindness of the Indian people. I would like to sincerely thank the Indian government and people for their valuable support and solidarity. Contrary to what was said in the media, there was no specific reason for deleting the tweet. Since these contributions came from people of all religions, castes and every part of the country, we felt it was important to show our appreciation to all the people of India together.Why: This war has also been a war of narratives. Has global perception changed in anyone’s favour?A: Beyond all the rhetoric and contradictory statements, what happened on February 28 was aggression and illegal war imposed on the Iranian nation.We were in the middle of negotiations with America. This was not the first time we were negotiating and the United States walked away from the table and attacked. For what reason? He claimed there was an ‘immediate threat’ from Iran, but then the Pentagon quickly denied this and said there was no such threat. He talked about Iran’s nuclear program and nuclear weapons – something that never existed. Now, everyone knows that this is a war based on illusion. This is an illegal war imposed not only on Iran but on the entire region, with consequences for the entire international community.Our enemies have not been able to achieve any of their goals so far. They were looking for ‘regime change’ in Iran. However, we are a government that emerged from a popular revolution, and our people have shown their support by taking to the streets from the very first day of the war. We are defending ourselves and will leave no stone unturned in this path.Why: The administration in Iran recently praised India for its ‘balanced’ and ‘neutral’ stance. Does Iran expect anything from New Delhi? A: We appreciate the steps taken by the Government of India. This approach reflects India’s deep understanding of regional complexities and the importance of maintaining bilateral relations. At the same time, we hope that all free and freedom-loving nations will stand against violations of international law and aggression. All governments must condemn attacks on civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, universities and economic centers and, most importantly, the killing of innocent civilians, including children.Why: There were inputs that Iran is helping Indian ships transit through the Strait of Hormuz during the heightened tensions. Can you clarify whether any specific mechanisms or coordination channels currently exist to ensure their safe passage? A: Iran has always stressed the importance of safety and security for shipping on international routes. However, it is important to note that the Strait of Hormuz is not part of international waters; It is within the territorial and internal waters of Iran and Oman. Therefore, protecting the interests of these two countries in the management of the strait is a priority, and decisions regarding transit conditions belong to Tehran and Muscat. This strait is closed only to countries at war with Iran. It is natural that during war we will not allow our enemies to pass through our internal waters. The fact is that other ships are not sailing in the area due to insecurity and extremely high insurance costs. Nevertheless, we have implemented special measures to ensure safe movement of ships of friendly countries, including India.Why: Is this assistance to Indian ships being provided on a case-by-case operational basis? What is viewpoint?A: Our vision is to guarantee the safe passage of ships of friendly countries, including India. This policy is based on recognized international maritime laws and regulations as well as the principles of navigation safety. In practice, this can be managed on a case-by-case and operational basis to ensure the necessary coordination according to the specific conditions of each ship and the real-time situation in the area. We have emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to countries that have directly or indirectly engaged in aggression against our country.Why: What message would Iran like to send to the international shipping community on transit through the Strait of Hormuz going forward?A: The Islamic Republic of Iran has always respected the principles of freedom of navigation and maritime security; However, effective implementation of these principles in the Strait of Hormuz is not possible without due respect for Iran’s sovereignty and sovereign rights as a coastal state. We emphasize that responsibility for any disruption, insecurity, or increased risk in this vital waterway and its surrounding areas lies squarely with the United States and the Israeli regime. By waging an illegal and criminal war against our country, they have placed regional stability and the safety of international shipping at an unprecedented risk, in clear contradiction to the core principles of the United Nations Charter.In light of the above, the lawful and legitimate measures taken by Iran have been adopted within the framework of established principles of international law, based on the principles of necessity and proportionality. These measures have been implemented to repel aggression and neutralize the sources of threats, and will continue in accordance with legal standards until these objectives have been fully achieved and the sources of threat and aggression have been eliminated.Any passage through the Strait of Hormuz must be conducted in compliance with the measures adopted by Iran and in coordination with the relevant Iranian authorities.Why: How was your tenure as Ambassador to India? What is your greatest achievement?A: During my time in India, I have witnessed positive developments in relations between our two countries. Deep historical and cultural ties have always been the strength of our interactions and these bonds have grown stronger with time. The sympathy and solidarity of the Indian people with the people of Iran in these difficult times is truly commendable and will never be forgotten. We believe that true friends are known in difficult times and our Indian friends have shown their true friendship. We are in close touch with the Government of India, and during my stay, I have seen positive efforts from both sides in various fields.
