Iran asks IMO Council to condemn US naval blockade of its ports

Iran's delegation to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council has rejected accusations by representatives of the United States and Israel regarding shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz, describing them as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking at the 138th session of the IMO Council in London on Wednesday, Iran's representative responded to claims raised under the agenda item on protecting critical shipping lanes, stating that the Islamic Republic firmly rejects the allegations about maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Addressing the US side, Iran's representative said Washington cannot claim to defend freedom of navigation while continuing what Tehran calls an illegal naval blockade of Iranian ports. The delegation cited Article 3(c) of UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 to characterize the blockade as an act of aggression, and strongly condemned US and Israeli military actions against Iran, including attacks on civilian vessels, ports and maritime infrastructure. According to the delegation, these attacks have caused widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and the deaths of innocent people.

Iran's representative said that to facilitate safe navigation, Iran had joined the Islamabad agreement to end the war, but the United States undermined the arrangements by violating its commitments. The delegation also rejected attempts to link actions by Yemeni forces to Iran, stressing that Yemen is an independent and sovereign state and that Yemeni actors make decisions based on their own will and interests. Iran's representative added that those responsible for aggression and civilian casualties cannot transfer responsibility for their actions to Iran.

The remarks came after Iran's delegation submitted two official documents under IMO Council agenda item 11 concerning the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and the consequences of US and Israeli military aggression against Iran's maritime sector. Iran's representative said that since the military aggression began on Feb. 28, 2026, Iran's maritime infrastructure, commercial vessels and essential shipping safety services have suffered extensive damage. Presenting documentation, the delegation stressed that protecting critical shipping lanes is not possible without addressing the naval blockade of Iranian ports and the destruction of civilian infrastructure essential for maritime safety. The report by Mehr News added that the session took place in London on Wednesday.