New Delhi, May 11 -- Iran defended its decision to close the Strait of Hormuz while expressing regret over the impact on India, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying that Tehran was "forced" to act after attacks by the United States and Israel using bases in the Persian Gulf region.

Baghaei, in an interview with India Today, called the US and Israel "aggressors", arguing that Iran's actions were consistent with international law and insisted that the disruption to global trade and energy routes was triggered by Washington and Tel Aviv, not Tehran.

"Again, you have to see what happened on 28 February. Before that, the Strait of Hormuz was open and free to every country. Iran was forced to take certain measures...