US representative to UN Security Council: Iran's attack on commercial ships and attempt to hold Strait of Hormuz hostage

The U.S. representative to the United Nations Security Council said the Islamic Republic’s attacks on commercial vessels and the Iranian government’s attempt to “take hostage” the Strait of Hormuz and the global economy show that freedom of navigation is vital to international peace and prosperity, and that some governments violate this freedom to gain political leverage or avoid the consequences of their aggressive actions. He described the Houthis as Tehran’s allies and said the group follows the pattern of conduct of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, from kidnapping civilians and using human shields to attacking civilian infrastructure and repeating the chants of “death to Israel” and “death to America.” The U.S. representative warned that if Tehran threatens the Strait of Hormuz, the Houthis may again move to block the Red Sea, adding that the group is “creating fear and terror in the region on Tehran’s behalf.” He stressed that those who possess missile launchers or sea mines have no right to determine which areas are international waters or how sovereign nations conduct their international affairs.