Iran Press/Iran News: “Causing any trouble for transportation and trade through international waterways is contrary to international law and basically, such measures would not be desirable or acceptable,” Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi told reporters on Monday, Tasnim News Agency reported.
“The Armed Forces have the necessary capabilities to protect their interests in various areas,” the Rear Admiral added.
“Experience shows that we have proceeded with our maritime trade over the past 40 years despite threats,” Mahmoud Mousavi noted.
The remarks came as tensions between Iran and the US have escalated since US President Donald Trump walked away from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in May and re-imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
US officials have repeatedly claimed that they aim to cut Iran’s oil exports to zero.
Referring to US claim that it can reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, Iran's first Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri in Oct. 14, emphasized the impossibility of the task, saying Washington will fail in its bid.
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Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi further said that the forces are prepared to protect the Iranian commercial fleet and oil tankers, as in the past.
US President Donald Trump officially declared America's withdrawal from the JCPOA on 8 May 2018, and decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran.
Following the US exit from the nuclear deal, Iran and the remaining parties launched talks to save the accord.
Trump on August 6 signed an executive order re-imposing many sanctions on Iran, three months after pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal.
The second batch of US sanctions against the Islamic Republic took effect on November 4.
EU powers have scrambled to save the JCPOA and protect their businesses in Iran, after re-imposition of US sanctions.
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