Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until Washington abandons what he called “its hostile policy towards Iran”, including its naval blockade and attacks on Iranian cargo vessels. He warned that Iran will soon designate a restricted zone around the Strait of Hormuz. Any vessel entering this zone will be considered a violator and barred from sailing through Iranian waters, Rezaei said.
US and Iranian forces have continued to clash in recent days. US strikes on Iran last Tuesday killed at least 18 people and wounded 140, according to Iranian officials.
The US has continued to tighten its naval blockade of Iranian ports and waters. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said Sunday that since restrictions were imposed in mid-July, its forces have intercepted and ordered 92 cargo vessels to change course, disabled 3 vessels, and boarded 2 others for inspection. The figure did not include the 3 or more Iranian oil tankers the US destroyed last Saturday, CENTCOM said.
