Iran has threatened to block not just the Strait of Hormuz, but the entire Persian Gulf, as it prepares for US sanctions. The threat was made on Sunday by Mohammad Ali Yazdian, a senior adviser to the Iranian oil minister. He told the state-run IRNA news agency that if Iran's oil exports are banned, it will not allow any oil to be exported from the Persian Gulf. "We will not allow any oil to be exported from the Persian Gulf if our oil exports are banned," he said. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane for Persian Gulf oil exports. About 20% of the world's crude oil and condensate passes through the strait. Iran has repeatedly threatened to block the strait in response to US sanctions. The new US sanctions are due to come into effect on 5 November. They will target Iran's energy sector and will also affect financial transactions. The sanctions are part of the US effort to curb Iran's ballistic missile programme and what the Trump administration calls Iran's "malign" activities in the region. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has warned that the sanctions will cause chaos in the region. The country has already seen protests and public anger over rising economic hardships. The US has granted temporary waivers to eight countries to continue importing Iranian oil. But Iran has vowed to find ways to circumvent the sanctions. Tehran has also threatened to step up its nuclear programme if it is unable to reap the economic benefits of the 2015 nuclear deal. The deal gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. But US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in May, saying it was not in America's national interest. Since then, Iran's economy has been hit hard by the re-imposition of US sanctions.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief, Mohammad Lejai, has stated that if the United States initiates economic sanctions, it will not only target the Hormuz Strait but also other routes for Persian Gulf oil exports. Lejai emphasized that the United States' aggression against Iran has strengthened its appeal for nuclear weapons.
During an interview with Iran's state-run TV, IRIB, Lejai said, "Whatever action Donald Trump, the American president, takes, our response will be like an earthquake." He added, "Countries surrounding Iran and many nations worldwide should not join the American-led economic war. Any country aiding America's economic sanctions against us will be considered an enemy."
Lejai warned, "If they start this, we will not allow a single drop of oil to leave either the Hormuz Strait or the Persian Gulf through alternative routes." Although he did not specify other routes, Lejai mentioned that Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port and the UAE's Port of Fujairah are exporting oil via pipelines outside the Hormuz Strait.
Lejai highlighted that the United States' desire for nuclear weapons has been fueled by Iran's submission. He stated that Iran joined the nuclear deal, JCPOA, in 2015 after being recognized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and agreeing to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT). However, Iran has been attacked despite its commitment, which Lejai interpreted as the global community's heightened desire for nuclear weapons under Trump's leadership.
Written by urgent.news from Hankyoreh's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
