Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in New Delhi on May 13, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Iran has provided “free of charge services” to international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz for decades but is now working on a “protocol” to include a financial component covering costs it incurs to make navigation safe in the Persian Gulf region, said the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in New Delhi on Wednesday (May 13, 2026).
Speaking to a select group of journalists at the Embassy of Iran, Mr. Gharibabadi, who is here for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting, avoided naming the UAE directly and said “a neighbouring country that is also a member of the BRICS” is thwarting a joint statement at the meeting by trying to introduce language that seeks to condemn Iran’s military strategy against U.S. and Israeli attacks.
“So far, Iran has provided free of charge services in the Strait of Hormuz. In fact, these services were provided by both Oman and Iran. Now we are working on a protocol and arrangement covering navigation, pollution of the Strait and rescue (in case of accidents). The protocol has not been finalised yet and we are working at expert level,” said Mr. Gharibabadi.
He said that though the arrangement will be “non-discriminatory”, Iran will not cooperate with countries that are found to be supporting the U.S. and Israel. He accused the two countries of starting the war on February 28 amid negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.
Mr. Gharibabadi assured that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to ships linked to India, but said marine traffic will be affected if the U.S. resumed its attacks on Iran. He said Iran is not a member of 1982 UNCLOS (UN Convention of the Law of the Sea) and can go ahead with its “protocol” on the chokepoint. Mr. Gharibabadi’s remarks came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposals calling them “totally unacceptable”.
Mr. Gharibabadi said that “Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without preconditions, but the U.S. rejected” as it is unwilling to recognise Iran’s sovereign rights to enrich uranium that is available to all members of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He indicated at a “high probability of resumption of U.S. attacks” as negotiations have hit a roadblock over Iran’s nuclear enrichment. If attacked, “Iran will defend using all capacities”, he said.
He called upon “friendly countries”, including India, to prevent resumption of hostilities in West Asia saying, “Iran is not Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, or Palestine. A renewed war will have a global consequence.”
Mr. Gharibabadi reached Delhi ahead of Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to participate in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the BRICS grouping that faced difficulties earlier in April 23 when a meeting of special envoys failed to come up with a joint statement because of differences over the language on Israeli actions in West Asia as well as terrorism. He indicated at a similar challenge is persisting even as Foreign Ministers and dignitaries of member countries are reaching India to attend the meeting on May 14-15.
“We are in favour of having a joint declaration because it is not good to give the indication that BRICS is divided,” Mr. Gharibabadi said.
He said that as a mediator Pakistan did not participate in any substantive discussion and called upon all friendly countries to come up with initiatives. “India too can bring an initiative,” he said expressing Iran’s desire to continue dialogue to avoid resumption of hostilities in the Gulf.
Published – May 13, 2026 11:03 pm IST
