Commander of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Major General Hassan Firouz-Abadi

TEHRAN (FNA)- A top commander of Iran's armed forces warned on Saturday that the Islamic republic would shut the Strait of Hormuz which controls the Persian Gulf oil exports if its interests were threatened. 

"All the countries should know that if Iran's interests in the region are ignored, it is natural that we will not allow others to use it (the strait)," Commander of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Major General Hassan Firouz-Abadi said.

However, Iran's armed forces joint chief of staff stressed his country's priority was that the Strait of Hormuz remain open.

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari had also earlier warned that his forces would use "blitzkrieg tactics" in the Persian Gulf if his country came under attack.

"IRGC is equipped with the most advanced missiles that can strike the enemies' vessels and naval equipment with fatal blows," he said.

In case of attack, "blitzkrieg tactics and operations of the IRGC boats will not leave a chance for the enemies to run away."

"These words do not mean that the prerequisites of war are being set but these are the strategies that our alert armed forces have prepared for any hypothesis," he added.

The strait between Iran and Oman is a vital conduit for energy supplies, with as much as 40 percent of the world's crude passing through the waterway.

Israel and its close ally the United States have recently intensified their threats to launch military action against Iran to make Tehran drop what they allege to be a non-peaceful nuclear program, while a recent report by 16 US intelligence bodies has endorsed the civilian nature of Iran's plans and activities.

Israel, which is widely believed to be the Middle East's sole if undeclared nuclear power, has said it will stop Tehran from developing nuclear technology at all costs.

US media had reported that more than 100 Israeli warplanes staged a training exercise with Greece last month to prepare for a possible long-distance strike and as a warning to Tehran.

Yet, the IRGC commander warned Israel last week not to attack the Islamic Republic, saying that the Zionist regime was well within the range of Iranian missiles.

Tel Aviv and Washington accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, while they have never presented any corroborative document to substantiate their allegations. Iran vehemently denies the charges, insisting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Tehran stresses that the country has always pursued a civilian path to provide power to the growing number of Iranian population, whose fossil fuel would eventually run dry.
 
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