Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States and Israel of destabilizing the Strait of Hormuz through military strikes, calling for urgent international intervention during a phone discussion with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on March 17, 2026. The talks focused on escalating Middle East conflicts, including recent attacks on Iranian territories and civilian casualties in Lebanon.
Araghchi emphasized that joint US-Israeli strikes earlier this year violated the UN Charter, urging the Security Council to invoke Chapter VII measures against what he termed "aggressor nations." He linked disruptions in the critical oil shipping corridor directly to Washington and Tel Aviv's actions, stating regional security cannot be addressed without condemning these operations.
The minister also condemned Israel's military activities in Lebanon, warning that unchecked aggression risks global security deterioration. His remarks follow February's deadly strikes on Tehran, which killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggered retaliatory Iranian drone attacks against US-Israeli targets.
Analysts suggest the escalating cycle of violence could further strain energy markets and maritime trade routes, with 30% of global oil shipments passing through the contested strait.
