Iran says it's capable of closing strait

Iran says it is perfectly capable of closing the Strait of Hormuz, rebuffing a NATO official who dismissed the possibility.

After Iran warned it could close the strategic waterway, NATO naval forces commander Vice Admiral Maurizio Gemignani said he doubted the Islamic republic could do so.

Iranian threats to close the Persian Gulf waterway are fantasy, the Italian official said, Iran's PRESSTV reported.

On Saturday, Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told the news service that the U.S. Fifth Fleet's presence in Bahrain and its proximity to Iran's Assalouyeh oil and gas facilities has prompted Iran to draw up plans to protect its sovereignty.

We are perfectly capable of blockading the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf and whoever doubts our capabilities can take a step and see the consequences, he said.