Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that any European warships heading toward the Strait of Hormuz would be regarded by Tehran as legitimate targets, Press TV reports.

“Any European warship that approaches the Strait of Hormuz will become a legitimate target for us,” the diplomat said in an interview with Iranian state television.

The statement came amid reports that some European countries may join the United States in efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the strategically important strait, where traffic was disrupted after the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Gharibabadi said that Iran does not intend to return the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-conflict state. According to him, control over the waterway has become for Tehran “a new defensive capability” and an important element of national security.

“If the Strait of Hormuz returns to its pre-war status, our victory in the war will not be complete,” the Iranian deputy foreign minister said.

About one-fifth of global supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas previously passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran insists that further vessel traffic must take into account its control over the waters, while the United States and its allies advocate restoring the previous regime of free passage.