Iran’s military chief of staff, Major-General Mohammad Baqeri issued a veiled threat to Western nations on Sunday, saying although Tehran doesn’t “intend” to shut down the waterway, “If our oil does not pass, the oil of others shall not pass the Strait of Hormuz either.
“Currently, all vessels and navy ships must answer questions from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ Navy,” said Baqeri, according to a report by Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. “U.S. warships also have responded to questions and we have not had a problem.”
The Iranian army chief made his comments the day after U.S. Central Command chief General Kenneth McKenzie told Sky News Arabia during a visit to the region, however, that Washington would create a united front with its allies against Tehran.
“We’re going to continue to reach out to our partners and friends in the region to ensure that we make common cause against the threat of Iran,” McKenzie said, according to a transcript released by Sky News Arabia. “I believe we’ll have the resources necessary to deter Iran from taking actions that will be dangerous. We will be able to respond effectively,” he added.
