Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: STR/AFP)
The Iranian ambassador on Wednesday offered safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for South African cargoes, and urged all Brics countries to insist on an end to American-Israeli “aggression”.
South Africa’s ties with Iran are a sticking point in its relationship with the US, which together with Israel started the Middle Eastern conflict almost three weeks ago.
Mansour Shakib Mehr, Iran’s ambassador to South Africa, praised South Africa for its condemnation of the attack and its decision to maintain ties with Iran despite pressure from the US.
“We have a very close dialogue,” he said.
Iran has not “closed” the important Strait of Hormuz, but allows the passage of “friendly countries” such as China and India, he said.
“Only oil tankers and ships carrying American and Israeli cargo are denied,” the ambassador said.
“If South Africa needs it (to use the strait) we are happy to support this idea, and we are prepared to work together to let cargo and oil tankers through,” he said.
Shakib Mehr urged South Africa and other Brics countries to “put pressure on the aggressor to stop its aggression”.
With no quick reopening of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in sight, buyers are expected to shift their focus to longer routes. (Photo: Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto/AFP)
“They (the US) kidnapped the president of Venezuela. They killed the leaders of Iran,” he said. “Maybe it will happen tomorrow with one of the Brics members.”
“We must show our solidarity against this illegal action.”
The South African presidency ordered an investigation into Iran’s participation in Brics naval exercises earlier this year near Cape Town, despite instructions that this country should not be present.
Tehran’s participation, which came during its bloody crackdown on protests, was criticized by the US.