Iran Says Obama’s Letter Says ‘Nothing New’
Ayatollah Khamenei’s aide has told reporters that U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent letter about the Strait of Hormuz, which he sent to Iran’s Supreme Leader, contains “nothing new.”
ISNA reports that at a press conference, Ali Akbar Velayati said the letter lacks any new substance, and he evaded the question of whether Iran will respond.
Iran’s vice president recently announced that Iran would block the all-important Strait of Hormuz if Western countries followed through with threats to impose sanctions on Iranian oil.
Given that one-fifth of the world’s oil trade passes through the strait each day, the U.S. responded to the threat by saying U.S. forces would not allow any interruption in the strait’s traffic.”
Two days ago, Iran’s General Safavi said: “If the Islamic Republic is faced with any dangers, it is capable of defending its national interests using various political tools.”
Obama was later reported to have sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei about the security of the Strait of Hormuz. While the Iranian Foreign Ministry has confirmed receipt of the letter, it remains to be seen if it plans to respond.
