Upon entering New York, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran was asked by the reporters about whether the option of blocking the Strait of Hormuz is on the table for the Islamic Republic. He responded: I do not express opinions regarding military matters, and this is an issue that the military sector needs to decide on.

Zarif added: “The United States is acting worse than a bandit.”

He continued: “Not only the United States is robbing us, but it tells others that if you don’t join me, you will be punished.”

Zarif was referring to the United States’ decision not to extend the sanction waivers for the customers of Iranian oil. He went on to say: “We do not care about the waivers, nor their revocation. The United States is not the world’s police to issue waivers or revoke them.”

Zarif has described his trip to New York as a press tour. He is supposed to talk at the general assembly of the United Nations and meet with the secretary general of the United Nations. He also plans on visiting some American think tanks and meet with some political activists outside the government in the United States.

While referring to the support of Israel by the White House and recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Zarif said: “Trump and the White House have entered a dangerous game in Israel, and in fact Netanyahu’s game in our region.”

Several Iranian officials had previously threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz if Iran’s oil export is cut off.