Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, told foreign ambassadors based in Tehran that Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Israeli positions were carried out under the internationally recognized doctrine of legitimate defense. This principle, enshrined in both customary international law and the United Nations Charter, justifies Iran’s actions, he said. Araghchi stressed that the attack on vital facilities in Assaluyeh was “not merely a blatant act of aggression,” but a “highly dangerous move with unpredictable consequences.”
He emphasized that the Persian Gulf is not just a body of water but a critical nexus of energy flows, trade routes, security dynamics, and geopolitical interests involving dozens of nations. Any disruption in this region, he warned, has the potential to spiral into an international crisis. Expanding the battlefield to the Persian Gulf, therefore, is not just reckless—it is a grave strategic error.
Persian Gulf Security: An Indivisible Regional Core
The Foreign Minister’s remarks reflect a nuanced understanding of the interconnected security architecture of the Persian Gulf. The attacks on Assaluyeh were not just limited military strikes—they were an attempt to internationalize the war and shift the center of conflict to one of the most geopolitically sensitive regions in the world. The Persian Gulf’s security is built upon the tight entanglement of economic and strategic interests; instability in any one location rapidly impacts the whole.
Legitimate Defense or Geopolitical Message?
Iran’s response to the recent aggression extended beyond mere military action. As Araghchi noted, it was not only rooted in the right of self-defense, but also conveyed a broader geopolitical message to global powers: if war reaches the critical energy corridors of the Persian Gulf, Iran will not be bound by geographic limits in defending itself. Any actor that abandons neutrality or contributes to escalating the conflict, he warned, will “face serious strategic costs.”
Regional Players Tested in the Wake of Israel’s Misstep
The widening of the conflict to the Persian Gulf is seen by Iran as not only Israel’s blunder but also a test for other regional players. The Persian Gulf serves as a key artery for global energy and maritime trade. Any instability in the region risks triggering a cascade of reactions and disruptions across international transportation and supply chains.
From Tehran’s perspective, no part of the region is immune to the ripple effects of security upheavals. The belief in “safe havens” such as Fujairah or areas perceived to be distant from the front lines, Araghchi said, is a dangerous illusion and a miscalculation that could jeopardize the security of the entire region.
Regional Security: A Global Concern
Iran’s response cannot be interpreted solely as a bilateral confrontation. It must be understood within the framework of a global security system. The Persian Gulf, as the heartbeat of the world’s energy supply, is a linchpin of global stability. Any turmoil in the region would have immediate consequences for international markets, energy security, and the strategic calculus of major powers.
The Islamic Republic’s warning is clear: destabilizing the security balance in the Persian Gulf will have far-reaching consequences beyond the region. No actor—near or far—will remain untouched by its fallout.
NOURNEWS