Iran again denies reports of closing Strait of Hormuz

Iranian officials have repeatedly denied the country has closed the Strait of Hormuz, even as its military confirmed it hit an oil tanker in the strategic waterway. 

In a statement on Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it struck the oil tanker Prima with a drone after it ignored repeated warnings regarding the "prohibition of traffic" and "insecurity" of the passage.

It came a day after Iranian officials stated that the strait remained open and that the country has no plans to close it.

On Friday, a senior IRGC officer told state TV that claims of a closure were "inaccurate." "We have been accused by some of closing the strait, but in fact Iran has not shut down this waterway," the officer said, adding shipping was being handled in accordance with international navigation rules.

Iran's state TV also quoted a military source as saying that the Strait of Hormuz remained open, but warning that any vessels belonging to the United States or Israel would be considered military targets.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told an international conference in New Delhi, India, that Iran had not closed the vital artery and had no immediate plans to do so. "If Iran decides to close the strait, it will make an official announcement," he said.

The statements followed remarks on Thursday from another Iranian military officer, who told several local media outlets that Iran had not closed the channel, and that it treats transiting vessels in accordance with international agreements, only intercepting warships disguised as commercial vessels.

At the same time, the IRGC reiterated that in times of war, Iran has the right to control navigation through the strait and that vessels belonging to the United States, Israel and European countries were prohibited from passing through it.