Russia’s UN envoy accuses West of hypocrisy over Strait of Hormuz

Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, accused Western countries of hypocrisy during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, April 27, stating that Iran has the right to limit navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

“There was an attempt to pin full responsibility on Iran as if it was Iran which attacked its neighbours and Iran is deliberately obstructing the navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” Nebenzia said. “In times of war, a coastal state that is under attack may limit navigation in its territorial waters for the purpose of security.”

His remarks came after Russia and China earlier this month vetoed a Security Council draft resolution aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.

Nebenzia also sharply criticised Western countries, comparing their actions to piracy. He condemned Ukrainian attacks involving long-range aerial and naval drones targeting Russian-linked tankers in the Mediterranean, as well as European support for Ukrainian strikes on Russian trade vessels in the Black Sea.

“Unlike pirates who raise their black flags with a skull and crossbones in their vessels, Western countries are attempting to conceal their lawless actions with references to unilateral coercive measures,” Nebenzia said.

“This is merely a fig leaf, the purpose of which is to conceal the fact that the (European Union) is engaged in blatant robbery at sea,” he added.

By Tamilla Hasanova