( CNN ) -- The Obama administration said Iran has been `` saber-rattling '' over its threat to block the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and renewed its vow Thursday to keep the corridor open . But the Islamic republic 's military underscored its intention Thursday to undertake whatever military maneuvers it sees fit on the waterway . This is the latest in the recent war of words between the United States and Iran over the strait . It started when Tehran 's vice president this week warned that the country could block the strait if sanctions are imposed on its exports of crude oil . The U.S. Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain countered that `` any disruption will not be tolerated . '' The shipping channel leads in and out of the Persian Gulf between Iran on one coast and Oman and the United Arab Emirates on the other . It is strategically important because tankers carrying oil travel through it . An Obama administration official , speaking on background because of the sensitivity of the issue , said the government has been `` committed to Gulf security for decades and it should come as no surprise to anyone that we 'll do what we must to ensure the strait remains open . '' Iranian Brig . Gen. Hossein Salami , deputy commander of Iran 's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps , said his country `` asks for no other country 's permission for the implementation of its defense strategies , '' state-run Press TV reported on Thursday . On Wednesday , Iran 's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said , `` Iran has total control over the strategic water way , '' adding that , `` Closing the Strait of Hormuz is very easy for Iranian naval forces . '' The vice president , Mohammad Reza Rahimi , issued his threat on Tuesday . `` Iran has repeatedly warned that in the event of a military attack on the country , it will not hesitate in taking all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty one of which would be to close the strategic oil passage , '' Press TV said in its report . The administration official stressed that `` the saber-rattling is really all on the Iranian side . '' Iran has been holding a 10-day military exercise in an area from the eastern part of the strait out into the Arabian Sea . Western diplomats describe the maneuvers as further evidence of Iran 's volatile behavior . France , Britain and Germany have proposed sanctions to punish Iran 's lack of cooperation on its nuclear program . Western powers believe Iran is intent on building nuclear weapons , but Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes . Physically closing the strait would require means that likely are not available to Iran , said Professor Jean-Paul Rodrigue of Hofstra University . `` At best , Iran can posture and potentially disrupt traffic for a short duration , '' said Rodrigue , who specializes in global trade and maritime transportation issues . Rodrigue told CNN that any move by Iran to close the strait would be `` suicidal '' to the current regime . In 2009 , 15 million barrels of oil passed through the strait every day , according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration . `` Keep in mind that countries such as China and Japan are more dependent on Persian Gulf oil than the United States , '' the professor said . About 18 % of U.S. net petroleum imports come from the Persian Gulf region , while Canada provides 25 % , according to Rodrigue . The scholar , who has written extensively about oil `` chokepoints , '' said there are no other means to move large quantities of oil over long distance than by maritime transportation . `` It is thus an international issue where the United States , for strategic and historical reasons , is spearheading its security , '' Rodrigue said . CNN 's Phil Gast and Jill Dougherty contributed to this report .
The U.S. will do `` what we must '' to keep the strait open , official says . By Reuters and AFP Mon 27 Jul 2013 05.34 EDT Europe wants tougher sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program .