Iran will not overlook its territorial rights at the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway and does not intend to impede maritime shipping in the area, Iran's Deputy Navy Commander Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi said on Sunday.
Issues concerning the use of the Strait of Hormuz are the business of its littoral states. As the country that has a vast coastal area along the strategic route, Iran has a particular interest and concern in the area, he added.
Mousavi, who is also the spokesman for Iranian Navy's massive Velayat 90 war games, warned, however, that any effort to harm the interests of the Islamic Republic in the area will undoubtedly lead to reciprocal measures by Iran.
We seek to establish sustainable security in the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime transportation, including the free flow of energy resources or the passage of trade ships, has been ongoing for all countries in the area with no obstruction, the Iranian commander pointed out.
Iran has warned that in case Western threats of imposing an oil embargo on the Islamic Republic take effect, it reserves the right to respond by choking the oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the free flow of oil must be for all or for none.
The possible closure of the waterway would have serious consequences for the world economy as it would greatly reduce crude oil, petroleum and liquefied natural gas supplies.
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A senior Iranian military commander insists that the Islamic Republic has no intention of disrupting the free flow of maritime shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.
News ID 181332
