Iran begins 10-day drill in Strait of Hormuz

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Iran has kicked off 10 days of naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. Concerns are now being raised over a possible closure of the world's most strategic oil transit channel in the event of an outbreak of military conflict between Tehran and the West.

Drills on one of the busiest straits in the world.

The military drills, dubbed "Velayat-e 90", comes as tension between the West and Iran is escalating over Iran's nuclear program.

Israel and the United States have not ruled out military action if diplomacy and sanctions fail to rein in Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Some diplomats believe the Islamic Republic could attempt to block the strait in the event of a war with the West over suspicions it is seeking to build atom bombs.

Iran's navy chief Adm. Habibollah Sayyari briefs media on an upcoming naval exercise, in a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011.(AP Photo/Fars News Agency, Hamed Jafarnejad)

Iranian Navy Commander Habibollah Sayyari says enforcement of the decision to close the Strait of Hormuz is certainly within the capability of Iran's armed forces.

The middle-east nation has said in the past that it would respond to any attack by targeting Israel and also US interests in the region. Iran has also threatened to close the strait, which is the only access channel for eight US-aligned, Gulf Arab states to foreign markets.

Located between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz is the only sea passage to the open ocean in the Persian Gulf. About 40 percent of the world's traded oil leaves the Gulf region through it. According to the US Energy Information Administration, an average of 13 million barrels of crude oil passed through the strait in 2009.

Iran plans to launch 10 days of naval drills from Saturday around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says the aim of the drills is to demonstrate the country’s military strength and defence ability.