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Iran to stop passage of threatening vessels through Hormuz Straight: IRGC

Xinhua, May 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned that it will close the strategic Straight of Hormuz to the vessels which might pose threats to the Islamic republic, IRGC website reported on Wednesday.

"If we are threatened by any vessel or ship (in the Persian Gulf)..., we would not allow the passage of that vessel or ship through the straight of Hormuz," Lieutenant Commander IRGC commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami was quoted as saying.

Referring to the possible move by the U.S. Congress about restricting Iran's defense program, including its military exercises, in the Persian Gulf, Salami said that neither the United States nor any other powers can stop Iran's "increasing deterrent power," including those of naval and missile.

Salami dismissed some western claims that Iran destabilizes the region, saying that the United States is the cause of instability and tension in the region and in the world.

Iran's naval power and defense program could create safety in the Persian Gulf, and the Islamic republic would not slacken to boost its power to this end.

On Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the U.S. calls for the restriction of Iran's naval exercises in the Persian Gulf, and said "the Persian Gulf is our home" and the U.S. officials cannot decide on Iran's defense programs in its waters.

"The Persian Gulf is the Iranian nation's home..., and the coasts of the Persian Gulf and large parts of the Sea of Oman coasts belong to this strong nation," Khamenei was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

"We must be present in that region, hold war games and demonstrate power... It is Americans who should explain why they have come here from the other side of the world and stage war games," he added.

Over the past years, Iran held a number naval drills in the Persian Gulf waters and the Straight of Hormuz.

Iran has reiterated that the U.S. and the West cannot establish durable security in the region and that sustainable security could be established in the Persian Gulf through the cooperation of regional countries. Endit