TEHRAN- Iran has dismissed as “baseless” accusations by the United Arab Emirates regarding the security and status of the Strait of Hormuz, pushing back against claims that it has threatened commercial shipping in the critical transit route.

The response came during the 113th session of the International Maritime Organization, the legal committee, where Iranian officials challenged a document submitted by the Emirates earlier this week. The Emirati paper alleged that Iran had deployed sea mines in and around the strait and had considered imposing a toll system on vessels passing through the waterway.

“These actions are clear violations of international law and are contrary to the principles and purposes of the I.M.O.,” the Emirati submission said.

Speaking at the meeting, Pouria Kolivand, Iran’s deputy permanent representative to the organization, rejected the allegations, describing the document as “based on a selective narrative, unfounded claims, and legally unsupported conclusions.” He argued that the claims lacked credible evidence and risked mischaracterizing the situation in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.

Kolivand also said the Emirati account failed to address the underlying causes of heightened tensions in the region. According to Iran, current conditions in and around the Strait of Hormuz stem from a broader military conflict involving the United States and Israel, which is an unlawful war of aggression.

facilitate such actions, he added, bear responsibility under international law.

Iran further challenged the legal basis of the Emirati proposal to assign responsibility for maritime security in the strait to Tehran, with Kolivand calling the initiative flawed both technically and legally. He warned that such claims could politicize the work of the maritime body and divert attention from broader regional dynamics.

Despite rising tensions, Iran said that shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has continued uninterrupted. Kolivand emphasized that non-belligerent vessels have maintained safe passage through coordination with Iranian authorities and in line with established safety measures.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most vital energy corridors, handling a significant share of global oil shipments. Any disruption to navigation in the waterway is closely watched by international markets and governments alike.

Iran reiterated its commitment to ensuring maritime safety and freedom of navigation, rejecting unfounded allegations and calling for a more balanced assessment of the region’s security challenges.