TEHRAN - Iran's navy chief Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said Friday that it is not Iran's intention to close the Strait of Hormuz although it could readily close it, the local satellite Press TV reported.

"Our intention is to bring stability and security to the region and we would like to show everyone that we can provide the security for the region without resorting to powers from outside," said the Iranian commander as the country continued its ongoing navy drill on Friday.

Sayyari said the presence of foreign navies in the region causes regional insecurity and emphasized that Iran does not need the presence of non-regional powers, according to the report.

The US Department of Defense on Wednesday warned Iran against any attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the world's most important oil passage.

"This is not just an important issue for security and stability in the region, but is an economic lifeline for countries in the Gulf, including Iran," Pentagon press secretary George Little said. "Interference with the transit or passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz will not be tolerated."

Little's remarks came after Iran's top officials threatened to seal off the important oil passage. Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said on Tuesday that Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz if the West imposes sanctions on its oil exports.

Sayyari echoed the vice president's remarks on Wednesday, saying that the country's naval forces could readily block the oil route if needed.

In a separate statement, the Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet said on Wednesday that "anyone who threatens to disrupt freedom of navigation in an international strait is clearly outside the community of nations. Any disruption will not be tolerated."

Last Saturday, the Iranian navy launched a 10-day exercise, dubbed Velayat 90, which covers a length of 2,000 km stretching from the east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden.