Iran Accuses US of Hormuz Disruption, Demands World Bear Cost

Iran has accused the United States of causing disruption to commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that Washington seeks to blame Tehran for a crisis that began on February 28. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai stated on the "X" platform that the Strait of Hormuz remained "fully open" until February 28. He claimed that the "attack" by the United States and Israel on Iran on that date, as he described it, disrupted the natural flow of commercial shipping in the region, leading to tanker stoppages, trade disturbances, and rising energy prices. Baqai accused Washington of attempting to pass the bill for current disruptions to the world, while holding Iran responsible. He added that the American narrative tries to portray the war, which he asserts the United States initiated, as a result of Iranian behavior. He noted that Washington "started the war but expects the entire world to pay the bill, while depicting Iran as the one causing this chaos." These statements come amidst an exchange of accusations between Washington and Tehran regarding responsibility for navigation disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the most crucial maritime passage for global oil transport.