The Iranian government has officially stated its opposition to the creation of a southern shipping corridor within the Strait of Hormuz. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, declared that Iran would not recognize such a route, asserting that any maritime arrangements in the area must align with Iran’s security requirements and the existing Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

This rejection comes amidst heightened tensions regarding the strategic waterway, which serves as a vital global chokepoint for oil and commercial shipping. Iranian officials have linked their stance on maritime navigation to broader regional security concerns, specifically blaming the United States and Israel for current instability. According to Tehran, continued U.S. military actions in the vicinity of the Strait are the primary factor threatening freedom of navigation and regional peace.

While the Iranian government frames its position as a defense of its sovereign security interests, the reports from the Tehran Times emphasize that these maritime policies are a direct response to foreign military presence. The sources provided do not include statements from U.S. or international maritime authorities regarding the proposed southern corridor or the specific allegations of destabilization. Consequently, the report reflects only the Iranian government's stated policy and its perspective on the causes of regional maritime friction.