MP: Iran Entitled to Close Strait of Hormuz If Threatened

A prominent Iranian lawmaker stressed Iran\'s legal right to resort to proper defensive measures against foreign threats, including the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. \"The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not on the Islamic Republic of Iran\'s agenda (at present), but if threats against Iran come to trample upon the rights of our nation while others use the strait for exporting their oil, then Iran will be entitled to the right to close the Strait of Hormuz,\" Mohammad Taqi Rahbar told FNA on Monday. \"The international conventions reserve such rights for the Islamic Republic of Iran as well,\" Rahbar underscored. The lawmaker, however, said, \"For the time being, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not decided to close the strait, but this (closing the strait) depends on the conditions of the region.\" Israel and its close ally the United States have recently intensified their war rhetoric against Iran. The two arch foes of the Islamic Republic accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, while they have never presented any corroborative document to substantiate their allegations. Both Washington and Tel Aviv possess advanced weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear warheads. Iran vehemently denies the charges, insisting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Tehran stresses that the country has always pursued a civilian path to provide power to the growing number of Iranian population, whose fossil fuel would eventually run dry. Iran has, in return, warned that it would target Israel and its worldwide interests in case it comes under attack by the Tel Aviv. The United States has long stressed that military action is a main option for the White House to deter Iran\'s progress in the field of nuclear technology. Iran has warned that in case of an attack by either the US or Israel, it will target 32 American bases in the Middle East and close the strategic Strait of Hormuz. An estimated 40 percent of the world\'s oil supply passes through the waterway.