TEHRAN, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Closing the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions imposed on the Iranian energy sector are independent issues, an Iranian military commander said.
Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane for much of the world's oil, caused oil prices to spike early this year. Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said closing the strait had nothing to do with sanctions, however.