TEHRAN: Iran may block oil traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz if the West threatens its economy over Tehran's nuclear programme, it was revealed last night.
"Given Iran's authority over the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway to more than 40 per cent of the world's energy, we have become so strong that the world's economic and energy security are in the hands of Iran," deputy Basij commander General Majid Mir Ahmadi was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency.
"We can exert pressure on the US and British economies as much as we ourselves are put under pressure," he said.
"US allies, especially those who host US military sites or facilitate American strategies against us, are exposed to our threat," Mir Ahmadi added.
"This is the Islamic republic's strategy in the Gulf - security for everyone or for nobody."
The country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said yesterday that Iran would not refrain from its right to use nuclear technology.
"The Iranian nation undoubtedly will not refrain from their right (to nuclear energy) and the country's officials do not have the right to refrain from the nation's right," he said, according to state television.
Khamenei was addressing visiting clerics from Qom.
He said Iran's nuclear programme was no threat to the Middle East.
"Our nuclear technology is a native achievement. It is a source of honour for Iran and the Islamic world," he said to chants of "Nuclear technology is our right".
"Muslim countries should know that this power belongs to them."
Khamenei said the US' regional policies have failed and called on Muslims to preserve their unity against "arrogant powers".
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