(MENAFN) The United States pledged on Friday to protect free shipping in the Arabian Gulf after Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers.
"The US Navy and regional allies stand ready to ensure the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce wherever international law allows," a spokesman for the US military's Central Command, Captain Bill Urban, said.
A leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Ismail Kuthari, threatened on Wednesday to stop the passage of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz if Washington banned exports from Tehran.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also issued similar threats which were welcomed by Qasim Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
Commenting on the Iranian threats, Soleimani said the Corps were "ready to carry out the orders".
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