Commenting on sanctions the US has re-imposed on Iran following Washington's withdrawal from the nuclear deal, Iran's Navy Commander Rear-Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said, 'The cruel sanctions being imposed on Iran, will affect Strait of Hormuz functions'.
The Strait seperating Iran and Oman and connecting the Persian Gulf to Gulf of Oman, is the channel through which some 2 million barrels of oil products are exported daily.
'It should be remembered that decisions made in international arena would not affect just a country; rather they would influence measures by other players too,' the commander said in a press conference.
'Keeping the Strait open depends on Iran's interests,' he said while stressing that the international community should be committed to its obligations to Iran.
'We, however, don’t consider the US an element affecting Iran's Navy decision on the Strait of Hormuz,' the General said, adding that any decision on the issue depends on Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
The commander also said that some new developments in Iran's Navy fleet are eminent, including receiving new and overhauled destroyers and submarines.
The destroyer Sahand is passing the final stage of trials to join the Navy fleet, according to the commander.
Destroyer Dena is also being manufactured, he said, and it is expected that it would join the fleet by the end of this Persian year.
The Navy commander also noted that submarine Fateh is in final stages of manufacturing.
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Iran's Navy to continue securing Strait of Hormuz: Commander
Jul 31, 2018, 12:55 PM
News ID:
82986957
Tehran, July 31, IRNA – Strait of Hormuz is a part of Iran's interests being secured and kept open by Iranian Navy so far, a senior Iranian commander said on Tuesday, adding that the forces will firmly continue to secure it.