Iran again denies closing Strait of Hormuz

　　Tehran, March 6 (Xinhua) - Iran stated on the 6th that there are currently no plans to close the Strait of Hormuz and denied claims that Iran has completely blocked the strait.

　　According to a report by Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency on the 6th, a senior officer of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated on national television that some media claims that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz are inaccurate. "We are accused by some of closing the strait, but in fact, Iran has not closed this strait." The senior officer stated that Iran will handle shipping issues in the relevant sea areas according to international navigation rules.

　　On the 6th, Iran's national television also quoted Iranian military sources as saying, "The Strait of Hormuz remains open, but any ships belonging to the United States or Israel will become targets."

　　On the same day, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated at an international conference in New Delhi, India, that Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz and has no immediate plans to take this measure. He said, "If Iran decides to close the strait, it will be officially announced."

　　On the 5th, several Iranian media outlets quoted an Iranian officer as saying that Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian officer said that Iran treats transiting ships according to international agreements, "only intercepting warships disguised as merchant ships." On the same day, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that during wartime, Iran has the right to control the passage and navigation of the Strait of Hormuz, and ships from the United States, Israel, and European countries are prohibited from passing through.