Iran threatens to block the Strait of Hormuz because of US sanctions

Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway vital for global oil shipments, if the country is prevented from using it, a senior military official said on Monday in what appears to be a response to the U.S. plan to end waivers on Iranian oil exports, head of the Revolutionary Guard Corps navy force Alireza Tangsiri said, Report informs citing the Iranian agency Mehr.

“If we are prevented from using it, we will close it," Tangsiri said

“In the event of any threats, we will not have the slightest hesitation to protect and defend Iran’s waterway.”

At the end of 2018, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani threatened to prevent oil exports from the Persian Gulf region if US would prevent Iran from selling its own oil within the framework of sanctions.