RABAT, October 16. /TASS/. The Strait of Hormuz will be open to shipping once US forces withdraw from the Persian Gulf region, Iranian army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia said.

"If the US leaves the region, the Strait of Hormuz will open," the Fars news agency quoted him as saying. According to the defense official, in that case, "collective security will be established with the participation of regional states, and the global economy will improve."

"If they [the US] do not leave, then we [Iran] will expel them," the army spokesman added.