Tehran \u2014 The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps\n(IRGC) has stated that the Strait of Hormuz is not closed but remains\nunder Iranian control. Alireza Tangsiri, Commander of the Naval Forces\nof the IRGC, stated in a statement that US claims regarding the\ndestruction of Iran\u2019s naval forces or the provision of safe escort for\noil tanker ships are false, according to Iran\u2019s semi-official news\nagency, Tasnim.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Strait of Hormuz is not militarily closed, but merely remains\nunder control,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi conveyed a similar\nmessage, telling US media that the strait remains open for international\nnavigation, except for vessels belonging to the US, Israel, and their\nallies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Strait of Hormuz is open. It is only closed for tanker ships and\nvessels belonging to our enemies, for those who attack us and their\nallies. Others are free to pass through,\u201d Araghchi said.<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow strategic waterway through which\napproximately one-fifth of global oil requirements pass. In his first\nmessage as Iran\u2019s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei pledged to maintain\nIranian influence over the strait.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged nations\ndependent on oil shipments through the strait to share responsibility\nfor keeping the passage open, with American assistance.<\/p>\n
Washington is seeking to contain rising oil prices amid combined\nUS-Israeli attacks on Iran, which have triggered Iranian retaliation\nagainst US assets throughout the Middle East.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/irgc-commander-states-strait-of-hormuz-not-closed-but-controlled-by-iran-1773575510", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }