US Admiral Warns IRGC Against Closing the Strait of Hormuz

A senior US military official warned Iran that the United States will maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by any means necessary. Admiral John Richardson, the operational commander of the US Navy, emphasized in an exclusive interview with Voice of America on Friday, August 12, that we are 'closely monitoring' the IRGC's recent military exercises, and if the IRGC attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz, it will face a response from the US Navy and its allies. With rising tensions in relations between Tehran and Washington and threats from Iranian officials to close the Strait of Hormuz, CNN reported on Thursday, citing US security officials, that the IRGC has begun its large naval exercise in the region's waters. The report states that Iran has launched dozens of patrol boats in the first phase of this exercise. US officials have stressed that Washington is 'closely monitoring these activities and continues to work with its allies to ensure freedom of navigation and commercial transportation in international waters.' Admiral Richardson also confirmed reports about Iran's exercise in the Persian Gulf and stated that the US is monitoring it. He continued, 'If Iran attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz, the US Navy and its allies in the region can counter this threat, and if necessary, we can use greater force.' He emphasized, 'We will certainly maintain freedom of navigation in the very important Strait of Hormuz.' Iranian President Hassan Rouhani recently responded to US officials' remarks about sanctions on Iranian oil, stating that 'it makes no sense for Iranian oil not to be exported while oil from the region is exported.' This statement was interpreted as a move to close the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered the world's most important oil passage. Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, supported this statement and called it 'the policy of the system' of the Islamic Republic. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, also wrote in a letter to Hassan Rouhani that his remarks are 'a source of pride and honor.' Ismail Kowsari, the deputy commander of the IRGC's Tharallah Headquarters, also stated that if 'necessary,' Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz. However, General James Mattis, the US Secretary of Defense, stated that 'Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz' and knows that carrying out this threat would be an attack on international shipping. Mr. Mattis warned that such an action would provoke an international response because the international community wants shipping lines 'to remain open at any cost.'