TEHRAN – Tehran’s Ambassador to France has said that Iran’s interests demand the free passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. 

 

“We don’t have the intention to close the Strait of Hormuz… That’s our official position,” Ambassador Ali Ahani stated in an interview with Benoit Faucon, a reporter for Dow Jones Newswires, on Friday, gCaptain reported. 

 

Ahani, who served as the country’s deputy foreign minister for European and American Affairs until December, added, “Our interest demands the free circulation of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.” 

 

Attack on Iran will accelerate collapse of Israel 

 

Asked how Iran would respond if attacked by Israel, the diplomat said, “I don’t think the Zionist regime will go in this direction of madness. This could accelerate their collapse.” 

 

As a possible reaction, “there is the solidarity of Muslim people, of Islamic groups who won’t let it happen without response, who will react,” he added. 

 

“The Zionist regime and its allies must face the consequences” if Iran is attacked, the ambassador said. 

 

Joining sanctions harms Saudi Arabia’s long-term interests 

 

Ahani also commented on the fact that Saudi Arabia has announced that it will make up for any shortfall in the world’s oil supply caused by sanctions against Iran.

 

“There is political pressure on Arab states in this direction” of helping sanctions’ efforts by increasing production, Ahani said. 

 

But helping the embargo would be against Saudi Arabia’s long-term interests, the veteran diplomat added. 

 

“The implications of these sanctions can have terrible effects (on) the price of oil” by creating volatility in the oil price, he said. 

 

Ahani also said that an escalation of U.S. sanctions could also contribute to further tensions. 

 

U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order imposing new sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran on Monday.

 

The U.S. “could cross red lines,” the diplomat said, adding that if they continue, they will be responsible for the consequences.