A commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that high-ranking officials of the country have decided to close the Strait of Hormuz if sanctions are imposed on Iran's crude oil exports, local Khorasan daily reported Sunday.

Khorasan quoted Ali-Ashraf Nouri as saying that "The supreme authorities of the (Islamic) establishment have emphasized that if the enemies impose sanctions on the export of our oil, we won't allow a drop of oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the strategy of the Islamic republic in face of such threats."

Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened the West against potential sanctions on Iran's oil exports. They have said that Iran will block the Strait of Hormuz if its interests are threatened.

Last week, Kazzem Jalali, rapporteur of the Iran's Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said Iran would use all its capabilities and possibilities to defend the country against foreign threats and the country will use the Strait of Hormuz as a defensive tool and will close the waterway if it comes under threat.

"Iran will definitely use the defensive potential of the Strait of Hormuz if it is faced with threats," said Jalali.

In December, 2011, the US Department of Defense warned Iran against any attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz which is one of the world's most important oil passages.

"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 last week that Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz if the West imposes sanctions on its oil exports.

Following a report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran's nuclear program in November, the United States, Britain and Canada announced new sanctions against Iran.

Certain Western countries have also said that they are considering sanctions against Iran's Central Bank and Iran's crude exports.