Chairman of the Parliament Commission: The President Does Not Mean Closing the Strait of Hormuz

While a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps praises Hassan Rouhani's stance on closing the Strait of Hormuz, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, Chairman of the National Security Commission of the Parliament, believes that the President did not mean to close this strait in the Persian Gulf. At least two members of the National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament have provided different interpretations of Hassan Rouhani's statements, asserting that 'Rouhani's oil threat was not a declaration of war.' Meanwhile, according to the Young Journalists Club, close to state media, Ismail Kowsari, Deputy Commander of the Quds Force, emphasized on Wednesday, July 4, that if 'necessary,' Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz to the world. The Iranian President, during a meeting with a group of Iranians residing in Switzerland, warned that 'if you can, go ahead and do it to see the result.' On July 2, Rouhani stated in Switzerland: 'The Americans claim they want to completely prevent Iran's oil exports. They do not understand the meaning of this statement, as it makes no sense for Iran's oil not to be exported while the region's oil is exported.' In this context, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told Radio Farda that they do not respond to every Iranian official's statement. Rouhani's remarks, interpreted as a threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, received praise from Qassem Soleimani, Commander of the Quds Force, who wrote in a letter to Rouhani that he kisses his hand. Soleimani wrote in this letter: 'What was reflected from your statements in the media, that if the Islamic Republic of Iran's oil is not exported, there is no guarantee for the export of oil from the entire region... is a source of pride and honor.' In this regard, on Wednesday, Ismail Kowsari also praised Rouhani, describing his stance as 'quick, precise, and intelligent.' According to Kowsari, 'Any hostile action from the U.S. will incur heavy costs for them.' A senior U.S. State Department official stated on June 25 that countries buying Iranian oil must stop all imports from this country starting November 1 (November 13) and the resumption of U.S. sanctions against Tehran. A day after these statements, the U.S. State Department explained that Washington is trying to convince 'as many customers as possible to completely cut off oil purchases from Iran.' Ismail Kowsari, one of several IRGC commanders who have praised the President in the past week, responded to the U.S. warning by saying: 'If there is to be a ban on Iranian oil exports, we will not allow oil to exit to other parts of the world through the Strait of Hormuz.' However, on the other hand, Heshmat Falahatpisheh, a member of Parliament and Chairman of the National Security Commission, has a different interpretation of the President's statements, which he claims has nothing to do with the Strait of Hormuz. Falahatpisheh emphasized in an interview with the House of Nation news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Consultative Assembly, that Rouhani's intention is 'not to close the Strait of Hormuz.' He stated: 'The President indicated that if Iran is not to export oil, it means a crisis situation has arisen and no country should proceed with oil exports.' He continued: 'The President does not mean closing the Strait of Hormuz, as this matter is governed by international regulations and must be respected.' Masoud Goudarzi, another member of the National Security Commission, also told the House of Nation that 'Rouhani's oil threat was not a declaration of war.' Meanwhile, the U.S. interpretation of Rouhani's remarks appears to be related to the Strait of Hormuz, as on Wednesday, the U.S. Army warned that this passage in the Persian Gulf must remain open to oil tankers, and the U.S. and its allies are prepared in this regard. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important transit routes for oil tankers in the world, accounting for about one-third of the world's crude oil exports. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close this waterway amid rising tensions with the U.S.