If the United States or its allies inspect Iranian ships in neutral waters, then the Iranian naval forces will inspect Western ships sailing the Hormuz Strait and the Persian Gulf, Iranian Naval Commander Ali Fadavi was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency.
Fadavi added that the United States and its allies should refrain from approaching Iranian ships.
"The navy's power and military capabilities have grown over the past 20 years," he said. "We have a developed missile system and can conduct various military operations."
The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution to halt Iran's nuclear program June 9. Twelve U.N. Security Council members voted for the resolution. The document states that Iranian cargo vessels may be inspected, and control will be resumed over money transfers involving Iranian banks. The resolution also covers arms sales to Iran.