Iran threatens to block strategic strait

Iran has threatened to retaliate for what it says is an Israeli airstrike on Tehran’s diplomatic compound in Syria on April 1 that killed seven IRGC officers, including two senior commanders. The development has heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and threatens to plunge the Middle East into a new spiral of violence.

"We are not the ones who are attacked without fighting back, but we are also not in a hurry to retaliate," Iran's ISNA news agency quoted IRGC navy commander Alireza Tangsiri as saying.

"We can close the Strait of Hormuz but we are not doing so now. However, if the enemy comes to harass us, we will review our policy," Mr. Tangsiri said.

Strategic location of the Strait of Hormuz

AL JAZEERA SCREENSHOT

According to Reuters, about a fifth of the world 's total oil consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz every day. Data from analytics firm Vortexa shows that from January to September 2023, an average of 20.5 million barrels of crude oil, condensate and oil products passed through the strait per day.

Since 2019, tensions between the US and Iran have been rising over ship seizures in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passageway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It is also the only sea corridor leading from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean.

The UAE, which faces Iran across the Strait of Hormuz, became the most prominent Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in 30 years, under a US-brokered deal in 2020. At the same time, Abu Dhabi maintains normal diplomatic and trade relations with Tehran.

"We know that the Zionists (Israelis) are brought to the UAE not for economic purposes but for security and military purposes. This is a threat to us and should not happen," Tangsiri said.

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