The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Naval Force has said that Iran will not block the Strait of Hormuz as long as it is able to use the waterway itself.

“As long as Iran can use the Strait of Hormuz, others are free to pass through it,” Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri stated on Sunday in the Persian Gulf port city of Bandar Abbas.

He added, “The enemies are constantly stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran intends to block the Strait of Hormuz, but we say that common sense does not dictate that Iran should close the Strait of Hormuz as long as it uses it.

“However, this does not mean that we will stop exercising wise control over the strait.”

Tangsiri also said, “We are present in the strait, and, under circumstances where we will not be able to pass through it, we will not allow anyone to go through it.

“Since the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps was deployed in the Strait of Hormuz and assumed full responsibility for (controlling) the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, warships and vessels passing through the strait have changed course toward the southern shores of the Persian Gulf after going through the strait, and each military vessel that plans to enter the Persian Gulf approaches the southern shores of the Persian Gulf and enters the region, which illustrates Iran’s might.”

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News ID 182265