NewsGate Press Network

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Dr Mohammad Fathali says that Tehran’s sovereign control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz wholesome and warned that if any violations takes place, Tehran will exercise its rights to safeguard its territorial waters.

While addressing a press conference in Delhi on Monday the 13th of  April 2026, Fathali emphasised that Iran remains committed to peace and negotiations to resolve all issues.

However he warned that his country is equally prepared for military action, amid escalating tensions following the US announcement of a blockade on traffic to and from Iranian ports.

The Iranian diplomat stated that the Strait of Hormuz falls under Iran’s sovereign rights, and the country reserves the right to use it according to its capacity.

“Strait of Hormuz is our territorial water, and we have decided to exercise our capacity,” he said, as the US military announced it would enforce a blockade on all traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz starting at 10 a.m. ET today.

This decision follows the failure of weekend peace talks in Pakistan. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed to retaliate.’

Dr Fathali underscored that Iran presented three demands during the negotiations, which the US did not accept.

He said, “Some key points we raised were nuclear issues, war reparations, and sanctions relief. But I think they wanted some unlawful demands. Our delegation stated that we are ready for peace. We are ready for negotiation, but you should know that Iran is also ready for war.”

The envoy highlighted that Iran has endured over four decades of what he described as unjust sanctions.

“Initially, they announced unilateral sanctions, then crippling sanctions, followed by smaller sanctions, and now they have imposed maximum-pressure sanctions,” he said.

Dr Fathali also noted the human cost of these measures: “Significant damage was inflicted on medical and health facilities, emergency stations, medical center units, and health centers.

Residential and civilian areas were also affected. During the 40-day war unleashed by the US and Israel, health facilities were among the most severely damaged.”

As per the White House official, the nonnegotiable parameters set by Donald Trump for Iran include ending all uranium enrichment and dismantling its major nuclear enrichment facilities.

US Vice President JD Vance, who negotiated with the Iranians, said that he had offered “best and final deal.” Vance said that the core requirement was a clear and affirmative commitment from Iran that it would neither pursue a nuclear weapon nor develop the capabilities that could allow it to rapidly produce one.