Iran slams Nato talks on navigating Hormuz Strait as 'politically motivated'
With Nato discussions in Turkey focusing on the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has published a response criticising the meeting as "baseless and politically motivated".
"The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects the baseless and politically motivated allegations raised in this statement regarding its peaceful nuclear program and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," it said in a statement carried by state media IRNA.
Iran emphasised that it has "played a responsible role in maintaining maritime security and guaranteeing freedom of navigation" in the waterway and Persian Gulf.
"It is the illegal military interventions, provocative actions, and destabilizing policies of extra-regional actors - not Iran - that constitute the primary source of insecurity in the region.
"It was the United States and the terrorist Israeli regime- not Iran - that bombed the negotiating table and prioritized aggression over diplomacy."
The statement accused Nato of supporting and facilitating attacks against Iranians, adding that the alliance "lacks the standing to lecture Iran or prescribe solutions for regional peace and security".
Regarding the country's nuclear program, Tehran said it is "entirely peaceful in nature" and has "no place in the country's defense doctrine".