Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Iran, June 5, 2018 – Merely two days after hollow threats made by Iranian regime President Hassan Rouhani of closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to United States oil sanctions, Heshmat Falahatpisheh, chair of the Security Commission in the regime’s parliament says Rouhani didn’t mean to actually close the strait.
On July 2nd and during his visit to Switzerland, Rouhani made interesting remarks in his meeting with a number of Iranian regime operatives, referring to positions expressed by American officials over zeroing Iran’s oil exports.
“If you can, do so and see the results. The Americans claimed they want to completely prevent Iran’s oil exports. They don’t know what they’re talking about, because this makes no sense for Iran’s oil not to be exported while the region’s oil is exported,” he said.
Rouhani’s speech, described by a number of Iranian regime media as an intention to close the Strait of Hormuz. Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force chief praised Rouhani for his remarks.
“I kiss your hand. The text published in the media citing His Excellency on there being no guarantee for the entire region’s oil exports if the Islamic Republic of Iran’s oil is not exported… is a source of pride,” he wrote in a letter to Rouhani.
In an interesting u-turn, Falahatpisheh made very thought-provoking remarks on Thursday, saying the president didn’t mean closing this strait in the Persian Gulf.
On Wednesday, however, Ismaeel Kothari, deputy chief of the IRGC Tharallah Base referred to Rouhani’s speech and said “if necessary” Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz to the world.
Kothari also praised Rouhani’s remarks as “speedy, accurate and smart”
“Any aggressive measure by the U.S. will come with high costs for them,” Kothari said.
On the issue of the Iranian regime’s oil exports, a U.S. State Department official on June 26th said those countries purchasing oil from Iran must stop all their imports starting on November 4th when U.S. energy and banking sanctions are reinstalled against the Iranian regime.
One day later, the U.S. State Department specifically said Washington is maximizing its efforts to convince more customers to completely end their oil purchasing from the Iranian regime.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important waterways for oil tankers and nearly one third of the world’s crude oil exports pass through this area.
US CENTCOM spokesman also responded to the Iranian regime’s threats by making it clear their forces are ready to guarantee free passage in the Persian Gulf.
