NEW DELHI, May 15: The Strait of Hormuz was open for safe navigation until February 28 when the US and Israel launched an aggression against Iran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said here on Friday.
Interacting with reporters here, he made the comments in Russian, which were translated into English by an interpreter.
The minister was asked about the choking of the Strait of Hormuz, and reports suggesting attempts by the US to get China to do something to help reopen the critical sea lane. Moscow is “not aware” of it, he responded.
The Strait of Hormuz was not blocked and was open for safe navigation until February 28, when, for the second time in six months, the US and Israel launched an aggression against Iran, Lavrov said.
He emphasised that there was a need to “deblock energy supplies via Strait of Hormuz.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The West Asia conflict has impacted the global economy and energy supply chains, triggering an energy crisis.
Iran shut down the key strait bordering its southwest following the launch of the US-Israeli attacks on February 28.
Lavrov was also asked about Pakistan seeking a role as a mediator to resolve the West Asia crisis.
He suggested that India could play a mediating role in normalising ties between Iran and the Arab states.
Lavrov, who is on a visit to India, on Thursday attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under India’s chairship of the bloc. (PTI)
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