Tehran, July 4 -- Iran has issued a stern warning against any foreign military presence in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the strategic waterway should not become a venue for "extra-regional" military displays after the United Kingdom and France announced plans to support freedom of navigation in the area.

The warning came from Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who said Tehran considers itself the guarantor of security in the Strait and would closely monitor any military movements.

"The Strait of Hormuz is not a theatre for the military display of extra-regional powers," Gharibabadi wrote in a post on X, adding that Iran would respond sensitively to any military activity in the waterway.

He said security in the Strait sh...