Reza H. Akbari

Iranian military official responded to the United States’ letter written to the country’s Supreme Leader, warning that it will take actions in the Strait of Hormuz if the country’s security is threatened.

Yahya Rahim Safavi, former Chief Commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the current military advisor to the Supreme Leader, highlighted Iran’s ability to guarantee security of global energy supplies in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, but at the same time warned about Iran’s ability to defend its interests by taking actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Fars News, a semi-official news agency close to the IRGC, Rahim Safavi made a reference to the letter sent by the United States and noted, “Iran is the most powerful country in the region and since its coastal lines stretch from the Al-Faw Peninsula to the Gulf of Oman, Iran ensures the global energy security, which is shared security…however if Iran faces any dangers it will use all political and non-political tools at its disposal to defend its interests.”

Last Friday, the New York Times, citing unnamed US officials, reported that Washington had used a secret channel to warn Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that closing the narrow strategic waterway would cross a “red line” and provoke a response.

According to IRNA, on Sunday January 15, Ramin Mehmanparast, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman, confirmed the news by announcing, “The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, sent a letter to Mohammad Khazaie, Iran’s UN representative, which was conveyed by the Swiss ambassador, and finally Iraqi President Jalal Talabani delivered its contents to officials” in Iran.