Iran, responding to threats by the US seeking immediate re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, said on Tuesday that any passage of ships through the strait has to be conducted in compliance with the appropriate measures adopted by Iran.The Iran Embassy in India posted details of the what it called a ‘fact sheet on the legal and proportionate measures’ through the Strait of Hormuz. It said it was for the Iranian government to determine, if a vessel’s passage through the Strait of Hormuz poses a threat, it shall prevent such passage.Naming the US and Israel as ‘aggressors’, the Iranians said, “the two ‘abused’ the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz and established a presence in the Persian Gulf, initiated a war of aggression.”Iran cited the UN laws and the inherent right of self-defence pursuant to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, saying the regulation at Hormuz is to counter aggression.The war that was started on February 28 compelled a series of precautionary and restrictive measures regarding innocent passage through the Hormuz, it said. The primary objective is to stop passage of ships that can provide support for ongoing and future aggression against Iran and to guarantee free maritime navigation in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.Iran said as a coastal state responsible for the safety of navigation in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, and in accordance with the established rules and treaty-based international law — shall prevent the transit of all vessels owned by or affiliated with the aggressors — the US and Israel — or supporters of the aggression.It explained what is ‘innocent passage’ at sea is, saying it is legitimate only if it is not prejudicial to the national security and fundamental interests of Iran or the peace and order of the Persian Gulf.The ‘innocent passage’ needs to be free from any support for the threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of the Iranian state. The possibility of innocent passage — as it exists under normal circumstances — has effectively ceased to exist.The actions of the US and Israel clearly violate the UN Law of the Sea, particularly regarding the threat or use of force against the sovereignty of a coastal state. It cited the relevant laws to say existing legal regime of ‘innocent passage’ is suspended, and passage is subject to the conditions declared by the competent authorities of Iran.Justifying its actions, the Iran embassy note said the effective control by Iran over the transit of all vessels — especially those affiliated with the aggressors — based on the inherent right of self-defence and the principles of necessity and proportionality, is entirely legal and legitimate.“All legal and legitimate actions have been taken within the framework of established principles of international law, based on the dual principles of necessity and proportionality,” the note said.