Ankara: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi on Saturday stated that the Strait of Hormuz "is not a stage for extra-regional powers to display military force," issuing a warning against "any military activity" in the crucial waterway.

According to Anadolu Agency, Gharibabadi made these remarks on US social media company X, in response to a UK-France joint statement regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The statement expressed the readiness of the two nations to deploy a wider Multinational Military Mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the waterway. Gharibabadi emphasized that the security of the strait "rests with the littoral states," and cautioned that those who instigate crises will be held accountable for the outcomes of their actions.

In a related development, a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US, facilitated by Pakistani mediation, was enacted on June 18. This agreement, electronically signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump, aims to address and resolve ongoing issues between Tehran and Washington through diplomacy. It encompasses a cessation of hostilities, sanctions relief, the nuclear issue, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and broader regional security arrangements.