Iran has warned Israel it will respond firmly to any attempts to block crude shipments.
Israel had said its navy could take action against what it claimed was Iranian smuggling to evade US sanctions.
Iranian state news agency IRNA cited Iran's minister of defence Amir Hatami as saying it had the military capabilities to confront any Israeli intervention.
Hatami said any such moves would be considered "piracy" and warned that "if it happens, we will firmly respond."
