Pointing to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, Jalali said on Monday that while Iran would like all countries to use this energy conduit but if threatened it will definitely use all capacities to defend the country’s sovereignty.
The member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee emphasized that the desire to harm the Islamic Republic will have devastating consequences because given its “immense defensive potential [Iran] will cut off the hands of aggressors.”
Jalali said the Velayat 90 naval exercises demonstrate Iran’s defensive might, adding that Tehran has always maintained that the presence of extra-regional forces and foreign meddling in the internal affairs of regional countries are the cause of unrest in the region.
Iran has warned that in case Western threats of imposing an oil embargo on the Islamic Republic materialize, it reserves the right to respond by choking the oil flow through Hormuz, arguing that the free flow of oil must be for all or for none.
The possible closure of the waterway would have serious consequences for the global economy as it would greatly reduce supplies of crude oil, petroleum and liquefied natural gas.
Iran’s Navy launched the massive 10-day Velayat 90 naval exercise on December 24, covering an area stretching from the east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden.
Iran maintains that the maneuvers are defensive in nature and intend to convey a message of peace and friendship to the countries of the region. It has also extended a public invitation to regional states to conduct joint naval drills with Iranian forces.
