The head of the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff says the Strait of Hormuz is one of the “vital channels of energy transportation in the world” and Iran will not disturb its activities.
ISNA reported on Saturday that General Firouzabadi discussed Parliament’s plan to block the Strait of Hormuz in response to international sanctions against Iranian oil exports, saying: “Members of Parliament are the representatives of the people, and their word and signatures speak for the message and decisions of the nations.”
“I can declare as a senior military commander that we do have a plan for the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, because the military must have a plan for every approach,” Forouzabadi added. “However, we will not carry it out unless our interests are threatened.”
The senior military commander went on to say that Iran will deal rationally with this “vital channel of energy transportation.”
“We will not threaten any country unless they threaten us,” he emphasized.
An oil embargo by all EU member states began on July 1, and the United States has also begun taking punitive measures against countries and companies that have not significantly reduced their oil dealings with Iran.
The Iranian Parliament is examining a motion to block the Strait of Hormuz in response to the oil sanctions.
