File Photo: Vessels are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, off the port city of Khasab on Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula. AFP
"This strategic passage is more important than dozens of atomic bombs, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will protect it," Mohsen Rezaee was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying. Western countries accuse Iran of seeking to create an atomic bomb, but Tehran has insisted its nuclear programme is for peaceful, civilian purposes.
Iran's Guards said the Strait of Hormuz would be closed "until further notice" after the latest hostilities, state media reported, renewing pressure on global energy prices, which have soared over hostilities around the vital shipping route.
Revolutionary Guards announced they had hit a second vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, state TV network IRIB reported, adding they had also attacked a US base in Qatar.
Overnight US strikes on Iran killed one soldier, Iranian media reported Sunday after fighting resumed between the foes.
"Lieutenant Hamidreza Dehghani, of the navy of the Islamic Republic's armed forces, was martyred during the criminal, terrorist attack last night by the United States on the port of Jask" in southern Iran, the Mehr and Tasnim news agencies said, citing a local official.
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