WANA (Nov 18) – The Iranian Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, attending the IMO Council meeting in London, rejected Western accusations of Iran’s involvement in Red Sea unrest. He emphasized that the root cause of regional instability lies in the “genocide by the Israeli regime in Palestine and Lebanon, supported by the United States.”

 

On Monday, November 18, 2024, Ali Akbar Safaei addressed the IMO Council, stating, “It is regrettable that representatives of a few delegations, including the U.S., have once again misused the IMO platform by spreading false information and baseless accusations against Iran to advance political agendas.”

 

He reiterated Iran’s commitment to maritime security and navigation freedom, emphasizing the need for safety in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Safaei dismissed claims linking Iran to the Yemeni crisis, stating, “The Yemeni people are independent and act based on their own considerations. Iran firmly rejects baseless accusations as pretexts for legitimizing U.S. illegal actions and military aggression in Yemen.”

 

He criticized U.S. and U.K. military intervention in Yemen as violations of Yemen’s sovereignty, the UN Charter, and Security Council resolutions, posing significant threats to regional peace and stability. Safaei also condemned U.S. claims of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter as unjustifiable.

 

Safaei affirmed Iran’s compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions 2140 and 2216, rejecting allegations of arms transfers, and stressed Iran’s commitment to resolving the Yemeni crisis diplomatically while ensuring maritime security and navigation freedom.

 

The current situation in the Red Sea stems from the genocide and brutal massacres carried out by the Israeli regime, fully supported by the U.S., against innocent Palestinians and Lebanese. The U.S., U.K., and their allies bear full responsibility for backing the Israeli regime, he concluded.

 

The 133rd IMO Council session opened in London, and the Iranian delegation, led by Safaei, was in attendance. During his visit, Safaei is scheduled to meet senior IMO officials and counterparts from other countries.