BANDAR ABBAS - 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.” 

 

U.S. warships in Persian Gulf meant to protect Israel 

 

Elsewhere in his remarks, Tangsiri commented on the presence of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and stated, “U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf are playing the role of iron domes that have come to the region to prevent Iran’s missiles from being fired at the Zionist regime.”  

 

“We have been stating for years that their presence undermines security,” he said, adding, “We should not give them even a moment to encroach upon the maritime borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” 

 

He added, “Our life is in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman. At present, basijis (volunteer forces) are aboard more than 60 vessels in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and beyond and are protecting Iran’s interests. The Armed Forces are actively present in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Aden and have the ability to be present in more distant waters to protect the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”       

 

Over 90 military vessels of other countries are present in the region, Tangsiri stated, adding, “(This) foreign presence does not make any sense. Foreign forces constitute a threat to the region and neighboring countries. If something happens to U.S. nuclear aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman, the destructive environmental effects will threaten the region for years.”   

 

Faith of Iranians will determine outcome of any regional incident    

 

Tangsiri also commented on efforts that certain Western countries have been making to promote Iranophobia in the world and said, “The formulation of the Iranophobia project and the creation of insecurity in various parts of the world and even (inciting) civil wars in weak countries by the United States and its allies are meant to (increase) the sale of destructive weapons because a large part of the U.S. economy is dependent on the sale of weapons to other countries.”      

 

He went on to say that military equipment will not determine the result of any possible war against Iran.

 

“Should the need arise, faith and the Islamic and nationalist beliefs of the youth of the country will determine (the outcome of) any incident that occurs in the region,” he added.

 

EP/HG