‘Iran to Shut Hormuz If U.S. Makes a Mistake’
TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- An Iranian general has said the country will close the strategic Straits of Hormuz if the United States "makes a small mistake,” echoing a warning two months ago by the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
"If the enemy makes a small mistake, we will shut the Strait of Hormuz, kill their sedition in the bud and endanger the arrogant powers’ interests,” said Brig. Gen. Ali Shadmani, deputy chief of staff of the Iranian army.
His remarks were similar to those made by IRGC deputy commander Brig. Gen. Hussein Salami, who said in May, "If the Americans and their regional allies want to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and threaten us, we will not allow any entry.”
Salami also warned that "Americans should learn from recent historical truths,” an apparent reference to the seizure of two U.S. Navy patrol boats in January.
The U.S. Navy reported that in 2015, there were close to 300 encounters or "interactions” between American and Iranian naval vessels in the Persian Gulf.
Lt. Forrest Griggs, the operations officer of the USS New Orleans, said that risks arise from the unpredictable behavior and uncertain intent of the Iranian vessels. "It’s very common for them to come up to within 300, 500 yards of us, and then they’ll turn, or parallel us and stop,” he said.
"If the enemy makes a small mistake, we will shut the Strait of Hormuz, kill their sedition in the bud and endanger the arrogant powers’ interests,” said Brig. Gen. Ali Shadmani, deputy chief of staff of the Iranian army.
His remarks were similar to those made by IRGC deputy commander Brig. Gen. Hussein Salami, who said in May, "If the Americans and their regional allies want to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and threaten us, we will not allow any entry.”
Salami also warned that "Americans should learn from recent historical truths,” an apparent reference to the seizure of two U.S. Navy patrol boats in January.
The U.S. Navy reported that in 2015, there were close to 300 encounters or "interactions” between American and Iranian naval vessels in the Persian Gulf.
Lt. Forrest Griggs, the operations officer of the USS New Orleans, said that risks arise from the unpredictable behavior and uncertain intent of the Iranian vessels. "It’s very common for them to come up to within 300, 500 yards of us, and then they’ll turn, or parallel us and stop,” he said.