Iran Not After Closing Strait of Hormuz

Chairman of the General Staff of Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri said Iran does not intend to close the Strait of Hormuz, the most strategic waterway in the Persian Gulf, but would severely confront those who endanger its security. 
"The [Iranian] authorities have announced that we are not seeking to close the Strait of Hormuz, but if the enemies' hostilities grow, we will be able to do it," he was quoted as saying by IRNA.
The subject of closing the strait by Iran in retaliation for the United States' hostile measures came up once again after Washington called on all buyers of Iranian oil to cut their purchases, or face penalties. 
Earlier, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri had said that Iran would close the strait, "if Tehran is barred from using it".
Baqeri said Iran wants the strategic waterway to remain open because goods and oil of various countries, including Iran, pass through it daily. 
"The security of the strait is the duty of Iranian armed forces … American vessels have been in contact with Iran's forces and there has been no problem so far," he said.