An Iranian military spokesman has told state TV that Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz, reports Reuters.

The military spokesman, Abolfazl Shekarchi, is the third Iranian official who has repeated that statement.

Separately, Al Jazeera quoted an Iranian military spokesperson as saying that Iran does not plan to close the vital maritime route, but rather the reason for a decrease in traffic through the strait is the danger posed by the ongoing war.

“We will not prevent any ship wishing to cross the Strait of Hormuz, but the responsibility for its security lies with the ship itself”, the spokesperson said.

“We will target any ship belonging to the Zionist entity [Israel] and America if it attempts to cross the Strait of Hormuz.”