The commander of the Iranian Navy says the Islamic Republic does not seek closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.We are not after closing Strait of Hormuz, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said at a meeting with students of Mazandaran University in northern Iran on Sunday, Fars news agency reported.
The Iranian commander, however, added that the navy is capable of doing so.
Anyone who can establish security in the strait, can close it in the shortest possible time but as I said, we are not after closing the strait, noted the navy commander.
Sayyari also stated that the Iranian Navys technological capability should improve through the infrastructures developed by universities.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway, which connects the Persian Gulf on the west to the Sea of Oman.
Statistically, the waterway is one of the world's most important shipping lanes, through which some 35 percent of all seaborne-traded oil and 20 percent of all oil traded globally passes.
On September 17, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed the Islamic Republics determination to maintain peace in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has always wanted the Strait of Hormuz to be the strait of peace, friendship and fraternity, Rouhani said in a meeting with Omani Minister Responsible for Defense Sayyid Badr bin Saud Al Busaidi in Tehran.
By Press TV
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
