Iran’s strong message: Will not withdraw from the Strait of Hormuz until rights are secured

Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, has issued a stern warning following the US blockade. He says Iran will not withdraw from the Strait of Hormuz until its “rights are completely protected.” This statement was reported by Iranian state media Press TV.

Rezaei, who is also a former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said Iran views the strategic waterway as its strength and will continue to control it to counter alleged “unlawful” sanctions imposed by the US.

According to Press TV, Rezaei said, “Iran will not withdraw from the Strait of Hormuz until its rights are fully protected. Based on previous agreements, one should now more carefully focus on economic issues. Like the Americans, who are afraid of a long war, Iran is fully prepared and experienced for a long war. If Iran’s navy has been destroyed, why would American ships and forces avoid entering the Strait of Hormuz? Unlike earlier, where the rules of negotiation were decided by the other side, now Iran has set its own terms.”

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has become the focus of rising tensions between Iran and the US. Despite the dominance of US naval forces in the region, Iran is attempting to maintain control over it.

The statement comes as US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that it has imposed a comprehensive blockade of Iran’s ports, and US forces have established maritime dominance over key regional waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz.

“Within 36 hours of the start of the operation, U.S. forces have effectively shut down all maritime trade to Iran,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.