Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and an adviser to the country’s supreme leader, has said Iran will continue to protect the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian state media, Mr Rezaei described the waterway as a key element of Iran’s deterrence strategy, claiming that its importance was greater than “dozens of nuclear bombs”. He said Iran would rely on its defence capabilities and domestic resources to safeguard its national interests and security. The remarks come amid renewed tensions between Iran and the United States over the passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Iran has insisted that ships should use routes designated by Tehran, while the United States and Oman have supported a southern route for maritime traffic. Earlier, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akrami-Nia accused Washington of increasing insecurity in the region and said Iran’s armed forces were prepared to defend the country’s interests in the strategic waterway. He also said the military’s list of potential targets was “constantly being updated”.
