As US policies continue to fuel regional tensions and repeated acts of aggression against the territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly in the country's southern regions, Britain, France, and Germany have once again sought to portray themselves as advocates of peace through a joint statement. Yet, according to Iran, the statement neither reflects realities on the ground nor conforms to international law, instead reinforcing the same one-sided approach that has contributed to escalating regional crises.

In the statement, the European trio condemned Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, its enforcement measures against vessels found in violation of regulations, and its defensive strikes against US military bases in Persian Gulf countries, describing these actions as "reckless." At the same time, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs stressed the need to keep the waterway open, preserve freedom of navigation, and continue diplomatic engagement.

These positions come despite public acknowledgments of NATO's support for US and Israeli actions against Iran, together with what Tehran describes as a long record of Western breaches of commitments, raising serious doubts about Europe's claims of neutrality. This has prompted the question of whether Europe seeks to help resolve the crisis or, through one-sided positions, effectively legitimizes and rewards the aggressors.

Strait of Hormuz: Iran's Legal Authority, Undeniable Responsibility

European claims regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz warrant closer scrutiny when measured against existing agreements. Under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, responsibility for regulating navigation in the Strait rests with the Islamic Republic of Iran in coordination with Oman. From this perspective, managing this strategic waterway is presented not as a discretionary act but as a sovereign right grounded in legal agreements.

Accordingly, Europe cannot invoke selective interpretations of international law to disregard Iran's sovereign rights. If the European Union truly supports adherence to international agreements and legal norms, it should respect all provisions without discrimination or double standards, rather than emphasizing only those that align with Western political interests.

Iran argues that this mirrors Europe's approach to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Tehran was expected to fully implement its commitments while the US openly violated its obligations and Europe failed to fulfill its own responsibilities. According to this view, the continuation of that selective approach undermines Europe's credibility on the Strait of Hormuz.

Reversing Reality: From Absolving Aggressor to Accusing Defender

One of the principal criticisms of the E3 statement is that it reverses the roles of aggressor and defender. According to Iran, the military confrontation began with US and Israeli attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and sensitive facilities, actions that Tehran says clearly violated the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law.

Within this context, Iran maintains that its response falls under the inherent right of self-defense recognized in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Europe, however, has chosen to characterize Iran's defensive actions as the source of regional instability rather than condemn those responsible for initiating the attacks.

Iran argues that this pattern has been repeated in recent months. Europe's silence over US and Israeli strikes, its failure to condemn attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, and its simultaneous efforts to pursue political and legal measures against Tehran all point to what it describes as a policy of double standards, one that has also been opposed by Russia, China, and many other independent countries.

NATO's Admissions and Europe's Responsibility

Further questions have arisen following remarks by the NATO secretary general regarding the alliance's support for US and Israeli operations against Iran. Acknowledging extensive strategic, intelligence, and logistical assistance suggests that some European countries were not merely observers but actively supported those military operations.

Against that backdrop, Europe's claims of neutrality or mediation lack credibility, according to Iran. Confidence-building, Tehran argues, requires European governments first to clarify their past conduct, accept responsibility for their actions, and demonstrate in practice that they have abandoned one-sided policies.

Until such changes occur, Iranian officials contend that European statements on regional security, the Strait of Hormuz, or de-escalation will be viewed less as peace initiatives than as a continuation of policies that have deepened the crisis.

Strait of Hormuz: Lasting Security Through Respect for Regional Realities

Europe's approach to the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran, reflects its inability to adapt to the region's changing geopolitical realities. On one hand, Western maritime authorities continue portraying shipping routes as secure despite Iranian security advisories. On the other, European governments continue aligning with US policies rather than engaging with what Tehran describes as the waterway's principal and lawful coastal authority.

Iran argues that this approach neither enhances maritime security nor stabilizes global energy markets, but instead increases regional complexity. Lasting security in the Strait of Hormuz, it says, depends on respecting the sovereign rights of the littoral states, particularly Iran, and recognizing their legitimate security concerns.

Under established principles of international law, every state has the right to adopt lawful measures to safeguard its national security and vital interests. From this perspective, Iran considers protecting the Strait of Hormuz both a sovereign right and a national responsibility and says it will continue making decisions regarding the waterway in line with its security requirements and regional conditions.

Recent years, Tehran argues, have shown that political pressure, threats, and alignment with US policies neither alter these realities nor guarantee lasting security. The future stability of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran, depends on recognizing the region's geopolitical realities, respecting Iran's legal rights, and abandoning unilateral policies that have delivered neither tangible benefits for Europe nor greater peace and security for the region.