Commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said the decision to keep the Strait of Hormuz open lied with Iran’s top leadership, linking the issue to the level of pressure imposed on the country’s oil exports.
His comments come amid rising tension with the United States over the possible inspection of Iranian vessels following the reimposition of UN sanctions on Tehran.
Tangsiri told the IRGC-affiliated news agencies Fars and Tasnim that Iran views the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz as “strategically vital waterways,” adding: “We have protected this region and have not allowed the strait to be closed.”
But he warned: “Is it logical that the world benefits from this passage while we are denied its use?” His comment was seen as a veiled threat suggesting that Tehran might consider closing the vital route if its exports are further restricted.
His remarks followed a statement last week by Iran’s Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, who said the country’s naval forces were “fully prepared” for any potential conflict.
Tangsiri expressed concern over the presence of “nuclear-powered or highly sensitive vessels and submarines” entering the Gulf, warning that any incident involving such ships could have “severe, long-lasting environmental consequences.”
He cautioned that contamination could render desalinated water - the main freshwater source for Gulf states - “unsafe for use for an extended period.”
Iran’s operational stance remains focused on maintaining the global flow of energy while protecting regional stability and the environment, he stressed.
However, he emphasized that “the decision to open or close this vital waterway rests with the country’s supreme leadership” and is tied directly to external pressures on Iranian exports.
Accusing foreign powers of “manufacturing enemies to justify their continued military presence,” Tangsiri said Iran has not initiated war against any country “for the past three centuries,” asserting that Tehran “does not seek confrontation, but will firmly defend its interests if necessary.”
Iran’s regular navy patrols the Gulf of Oman, while the IRGC Navy controls operations within the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
He made his remarks as the UN reinstated a global arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities, following a European-led “snapback” mechanism.
Tehran has rejected the move and vowed a “firm response,” insisting its nuclear program remains peaceful.
