Nigeria: Iran tells US it is not calling shots
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Iran has warned the United States that it’s no longer in a position to dictate policy to other nations, as Washington considers a proposal to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. The strait has been effectively sealed off by Iran since early in the war with the US and Israel, impacting global energy markets.
Speaking ahead of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers’ meeting, Iran’s defence ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik said Tehran is ready to share its defensive military capabilities with SCO member states. He added that the US would have to “abandon its illegal and irrational demands”.
The proposal being considered in Washington would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for global oil and gas shipments. Talks on ending the conflict have been inconclusive, but a ceasefire has halted fighting between Iran, the US, and Israel.
Talaei-Nik’s statement signals a shift in the balance of power, with Iran asserting its independence and influence in the region. The move is likely to escalate tensions between Iran and the US, with implications for global energy security and geopolitics.
