TEHRAN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday the U.S. "criminal and provocative" actions in the Strait of Hormuz have jeopardized regional peace and security.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi speaks during a joint press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 28, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

Making the remarks in a phone call with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Araghchi called on the international community to hold the United States accountable in that regard.

He said the insecurity in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is a direct consequence of the military "aggression" by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Kombos, for his part, highlighted his country's concerns over peace and security in West Asia, underlining the need to pursue diplomacy to prevent escalation of tensions.

Also in a Monday post on social media platform X, Araghchi reacted to remarks earlier in the day by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the United States will become the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz, and will be reimbursed "at the rate of 20 percent on all cargo shipped for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the world."

The Iranian foreign minister said the U.S. president "is absolutely right," adding, "Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service."

He stressed, "Iran has always been the guardian of the strait and will remain so forever," noting, "20 percent is of course too much. We will be fair."

Iran tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 28, when it barred safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.