Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that Iran will block the Hormuz Strait only if it loses access to the Gulf. But the minister believes it is unlikely, RIA Novosti reports.
About 120 Iranian lawmakers presented a bill authorizing the country to block the strait for oil tankers heading to Europe as a response to the oil embargo.
General Hasan Firuzabadi, Iranian Chief of General Staff, explained that Iran may only block the Hormuz Strait if threats to national interests arise. Such measures may only be taken if ordered by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman with the Indian Ocean. It is the only naval route for exports of petroleum from the region to foreign states, including the US. Iran controls the northern part of the strait, the UAE controls the southern. US allies control Oman. 35% of world oil transport runs t
