TEHRAN – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps commander has said that any country that launches a war on Iran will be responsible for insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz. 

 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is safeguarding the security of the Strait of Hormuz, and the responsibility of undermining this security falls on invading countries,” Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said on Monday.  

 

The IRGC commander had previously said that Iran has adopted the strategy of a “smart control of the Strait of Hormuz” in the face of oil sanctions and threats. 

 

“Our strategy toward threats and sanctions is smart control of the Strait of Hormuz. With regard to threats, we have entered a new phase, and now these are our threats that affect the enemy,” Jafari said on February 13. 

 

Iranian officials have said that the Islamic Republic has no decision to block the Strait of Hormuz unless Iran is threatened seriously. 

 

During recent war games Iranian naval forces practiced their ability to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important chokepoints, which accounts for about 30% of the world’s seaborne oil shipments.

 

Valfajr war games are designed to repel threats on Persian Gulf shores

 

Major General Jafari also pointed to the Valfajr war games, which were staged in central Iran on Sunday and Monday, saying the land military exercises carried out by IRGC ground troops were meant to put into practice the defense plans which have been designed to repel possible military threats on the shores of the Persian Gulf. 

 

The military tactics which were employed during the maneuvers “had been designed based on the experience of the United States in the neighboring countries”, he said.   

 

He added the Valfajr war games send the message that Iranian armed forces are fully prepared to guard the security of the country and the region.