Iranian President Hassan Rouhani did not rule out possible shutting down of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran.
Asked by NBC if Tehran would fulfill threats to close off the Strait of Hormuz to oil shipments, Rouhani refused to rule out possible Iranian action to shut down the strategic waterway in response to U.S. pressure.
"If the United States wishes to use force in order to sanction the petroleum industry of Iran, it will certainly see the appropriate response," the president said. "We do have the power to secure our own waterways and keep our waterways free."
Asked if he was warning U.S. President Donald Trump, Rouhani said, "This is not a warning. This is a reality. If the Persian Gulf waterway is to remain free and secure, it must remain so for everyone."
Iran has previously threatened to close off the Strait of Hormuz at moments of tension with the U.S. The narrow waterway serves as a crucial transit point for oil shipments out of the Persian Gulf, and represents the most important maritime trade route for oil.
The Iranian president, however, did not specify precisely under what conditions Iran would possibly take action.
