Iranian official media announced on Tuesday that Iran is planning to temporarily close parts of the vital Strait of Hormuz, as a precautionary measure during military exercises conducted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
The channel’s correspondent, who is following the training from a nearby location, stated that this partial closure comes “out of respect for the principles of safety and navigation,” and added that it will only last for a few hours.
These maneuvers, which began on Monday, come at a time when the United States has strengthened its naval presence in the region, in an attempt to pressure Tehran to reach an agreement on its nuclear program.
In the past, hard-line Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened to potentially close the Strait of Hormuz, especially during periods of heightened tension with the United States, but the Strait has never been completely closed.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered an essential artery for global energy supplies, as about a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil and a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas pass, according to information from the International Energy Agency.
In a related context, the Commander of the Naval Forces of the Revolutionary Guard, Ali Reza Tengsiri, stated that any decision to completely close the strait depends on what the senior officials in the state decide.
