IRGC naval chief threatens to close key strait, vows response to Syria strike coming

DUBAI — The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard’s navy said on Tuesday that Israel’s presence in the United Arab Emirates was viewed as a threat by Tehran and warned that Tehran could close the Strait of Hormuz if deemed necessary.

Iran has threatened to retaliate for what it alleged was an Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Syria’s capital on April 1 that killed seven Revolutionary Guards officers, including two senior commanders — stoking tensions between the arch-enemies already heightened by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

“We do not get hit without striking back, but we are also not hasty in our retaliation,” Revolutionary Guards Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said, according to Iran’s semi-official Student News Agency.

“We can close the Hormuz Strait, but are not doing so. However, if the enemy comes to disrupt us, we will review our policy,” Tangsiri said.

Iran has threatened to close the strait in response to tensions with Israel and the US in the past. READ MORE