U.S. Army: The United States Will Not Allow the Strait of Hormuz to be Closed

The U.S. Army reacted to Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, warning that this passage in the Persian Gulf must remain open for oil tankers, and that the U.S. and its allies are prepared in this regard. Captain Bill Urban, a spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command, told the Associated Press on Wednesday, July 4, that 'the U.S. Navy and its allies in the region are ready to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce wherever international law allows.' One day before these statements, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a meeting with a group of Iranians residing in Switzerland, referred to U.S. pressures to stop Iran's oil exports, stating that Washington would see the consequences if it succeeded in doing so. He said, 'The Americans claim they want to completely stop 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 statement made by Iranian officials. Rouhani's remarks, interpreted as a threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, were praised by Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who wrote in a letter to Rouhani, kissing his hand. Soleimani wrote, '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.' Meanwhile, Brigadier General Ismail Qotbari, deputy commander of the Tharallah Headquarters of the IRGC, explicitly supported Rouhani's statements, saying, 'If there is a ban on Iran's oil exports, we will not allow oil to exit to other parts of the world through the Persian Gulf.' Qotbari emphasized, '20% of the world's oil passes through the Persian Gulf, and the world needs this oil, and any hostile action from the U.S. will have heavy costs for them.' These statements come as the U.S. seeks to pressure oil buyers to bring Iran's exports to zero, rather than preventing the movement of Iranian oil tankers. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important shipping 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 passage in response to escalating tensions with the U.S. However, analysts have previously warned that, given the U.S. military presence in the region, such an action could lead to military conflict between the two countries. The Trump administration announced in May that it would withdraw the U.S. from the nuclear deal with Iran and that sanctions against Tehran would be reinstated. During this time, reports have emerged from U.S. State Department officials indicating that Washington is trying to bring Iran's oil exports to zero.