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Iran dismisses Western media hype over Strait of Hormuz: commander
English.news.cn   2012-01-16 05:35:48
TEHRAN, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari dismissed Western media hype that Iran's recent naval drills were designed to show Iran's ability to close the Strait of Hormuz, the local satellite Press TV reported on Sunday.

Earlier this month, Iran's navy ended its 10-day naval drill, dubbed " Velayat 90", in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman which began on Dec. 24, 2011 amid increasing tensions between Iran and the West over a string of issues, including its controversial nuclear program.

Iran has always been in full control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, said Sayyari, adding that however, despite Western media hype, Iran's naval drills did not mean to show Iran's ability to close the Strait.

The Iranian commander called for vigilance to thwart attempts by certain Western powers to foment tension in the Persian Gulf region, said Press TV.

He also condemned attempts to incite Iranophobia in regional states, stressing that the global arrogance seeks to introduce Iran's growing military might as a threat to the region. Regional states, however, have no faith in such media hype, he added.

Sayyari pointed out that Iran has always conveyed messages of peace and friendship to regional nations, and is ready to conduct joint drills with other regional and neighboring countries.

Recently, some government and military officials of the Islamic republic threatened that Iran would close the Hormuz Strait if its oil exports were blocked by the West.

Following an International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran' s nuclear program in November, the United States, Britain and Canada announced new sanctions against Tehran and still are working to impose an embargo on Iran's crude exports.

Editor: Mu Xuequan