Tehran, IRNA – Canceling Iran’s hosting of World Maritime Day shows the desperation of the oppressive governments, the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran has said in a statement.

In response to the action of the United States and the United Kingdom to prevent Iran from hosting a parallel event on World Maritime Day, Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran announced on Friday that such as action is the result of the rhetoric and desperation of a few claimant and tyrannical governments and will not disrupt the Iranian government and people determination in line with developing maritime economy.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its 114th Council meeting in 2015 granted Iran the hosting of a parallel event to the World Maritime Day in 2023, and it has been approved in various positions, including the last year's meeting of the council, it said.

While there were only three months left for holding this event, Iran's hosting was canceled due to the desperate efforts of the US and UK governments and the opinion of a few powerless and dependent Western governments during the 129th meeting of the IMO Council on Thursday, it added.

Despite the fact that these two countries have falsely accused Iran of disturbing the stability and security of the sea, it is obvious to everyone that Iran, as an undisputed regional power, has always been the source of stability and protector of the safety and security of navigation and even the marine environment, to the point where it was approved and encouraged by IMO in 2011, the statement reads.

It is the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom that in many places, both in territorial waters and in the region and in distant waters, with threats, intimidation and even malicious operations, interfered with Iranian ships and cargoes, in violation of international law, and disrupted peaceful trade and threatened the safety and security of shipping.

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