US Military History and Iran's Strategic Position
When asked what right Iran has to hold the rest of the world to ransom by preventing oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Professor Marandi reframed the question by pointing to US military actions. He stated that it was the United States that waged war against Iran, with Australia's government offering support through silence and inaction. According to Marandi, the United States has slaughtered Iranian children, murdered Iranian leaders, and destroyed critical Iranian infrastructure in collaboration with what he described as the genocidal Zionist regime, which he said the Australian government supports. He argued that given this history, Australia is in no position to critique Iran's actions.
International Law and Nuclear Program Attacks
Marandi emphasized that the US attack on Iran and the destruction of parts of Iran's nuclear program constituted illegal acts and violations of international law, which the Australian government supported. He drew a parallel between this support for violations of international law and Australia's support for what he characterized as genocide in Palestine. These violations, he argued, formed the context for understanding Iran's current stance toward the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz: Before and After
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz specifically, Marandi recalled that before the United States and Israeli regime attacked Iran, the waterway was open and Iranians had no interest in controlling it. He stated that currently, Iranians want to ensure they control the strait in the future so that the United States can never again use the Persian Gulf as a platform for attacking Iran. Marandi asserted that Iran will continue to attack ships using the southern channel through the Strait of Hormuz, near Oman.
Questioning Journalistic Integrity
When challenged on details, Marandi questioned the journalist's credentials, suggesting a lack of journalistic rigor. He stated that Iran did not violate the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), and countered that the United States has been violating the agreement on multiple levels. He noted that this violation is widely known: "You know this, I know this, everyone knows this."
Concluding Statement on Accountability
Marandi concluded by expressing his lack of expectation for fair treatment, citing the interviewer's affiliation with the Australian state and its support for what he described as genocide in Gaza. He framed his response as rooted in Australia's own complicity in international violations rather than in Iran's actions being uniquely problematic.