Azerbaijan, Baku, July 27 /Trend S.Isayev, T. Jafarov/
If sanctions continue, Iran will no longer have stimulus to keep the Strait of Hormuz opened and secured, IRGC's former Navy commander Hossein Alayi said, ISNA reported.
"When the sanctions on Iran were imposed by the U.S. and the EU, a question of closing down the Strait of Hormuz surfaced," Alayi said. "The oil embargo against Iran means there's no stimulus for keeping the strait opened."
The U.S. and EU have imposed sanctions over Iran on June 28 and July 1 respectively which cover Iranian oil export and Central Bank of Iran involved in transferring the crude oil export payments.
Iranian side on numerous occasions have stated that the country can close down the strait, which is vital, because the strait is one of the world's most important shipping lanes, with a daily flow of about 15 million barrels of oil.
On June 14, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said Iran has the ability to close the strait and has proved its capability during the eight years of imposed war with Iraq.
On July 7, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi said Iran does not plan to close the Strait of Hormuz unless its interests are seriously threatened.
Hossein Alayi underscored that for Iran to close down Hormuz, there is no need to go into the sea, as country's forces are capable of closing it down from the sea shore.
Regional countries have been thinking towards alternative routes, fearing that Iran might close down the strait of Hormuz, meanwhile Pentagon has stated that if Iran closes down the route, it would mean "the red line" for the U.S..
In 2008 UAE has built an alternative route to Strait of Hormuz - an oil pipeline, connecting reserves in Habshan with Fujeira port. The transportation of oil there has begun approximately a month ago.
Alternative routes would cost more, Alayi said, noting that regional powers should work together to lower overall costs of transportation, instead of increasing it.
Alayi also noted that neigboring regional countries should all work together via tight co-operation to ensure stability and security in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf as well.