Iranian commander threatens to close Strait of Hormuz to US
TEHRAN: The deputy commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard says Iranian forces will close the strategic Strait of Hormuz to the United States and its allies if they "threaten" the Islamic Republic.
Iranian state media quoted General Hossein Salami, the acting commander of the Guard, as making the comment Wednesday regarding the strait, through which nearly a third of all oil traded by sea passes.
Salami was quoted as saying: "If the Americans and their regional allies want to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and threaten us, we will not allow any entry."
Salami's comments follow Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday criticising US military drills in the Persian Gulf.
The US Navy's 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
