US warns Iran over threat to block oil route

[PERSIAN GOD KING]

The US Navy has said it will not tolerate disruption to a vital oil-trade route, following an Iranian threat to close it.

Iran warned it would shut the Strait of Hormuz if the West imposed more sanctions over its nuclear programme.

The US and its allies believe Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon - a charge Tehran denies.

Reacting to Iran's warning, a US Fifth Fleet spokeswoman said it was "always ready to counter malevolent actions".

The Strait of Hormuz links the Gulf - and the oil-producing states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - to the Indian Ocean. About 40% of the world's tanker-borne oil passes through it.

The US maintains a naval presence in the Gulf, largely to ensure the transport of oil remains open.

The strait "is not only important for security and stability in the region, but also is an economic lifeline for countries in the Gulf, including Iran", Pentagon spokesman George Little said.

"Raising the temperature on tensions in the Gulf is unhelpful", he said, but added that he was unaware of any hostile action directed against US vessels.

US Fifth Fleet spokeswoman Rebecca Rebarich told the BBC the navy would be ready to act if required: "The US Navy is a flexible, multi-capable force committed to regional security and stability, always ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation."

Closure 'easy'

Western nations recently imposed new sanctions against Tehran following a UN report that said Iran had carried out tests related to "development of a nuclear device".

Further measures being considered to target Iran's oil and financial sectors have brought a furious response from Tehran.

Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi warned that "not a drop of oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz" if sanctions are widened and Iran's navy chief Admiral Habibollah Sayari said that closing the strait would be "easy".

"The enemies will only drop their plots when we put them back in their place," Mr Rahimi was quoted as saying on Tuesday by the official news agency Irna.

Adm Sayari later told Iran's Press TV that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be "really easy" for Iran's armed forces "or, as Iranians say, easier than drinking a glass of water".

"But right now, we don't need to shut it as we have the Sea of Oman under control, and we can control the transit," he added.

Iran's threats to close the strait have not flustered markets and oil prices actually fell after a senior Saudi oil official said that Gulf Arab nations were ready to offset any loss of Iranian crude.

'Non-compliance'

Earlier, US State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said the Iranian threats were simply "another attempt... to distract attention from the real issue, which is their continued non-compliance with their international nuclear obligations".


Iran's navy has been staging wargames in international waters to the east of the strait.

Adm Sayari said the manoeuvres were designed to show Gulf neighbours the power of Iran's military over the zone.

Washington and Israel have not ruled out military action against Iran's nuclear facilities if sanctions and diplomacy fail.

Iran has vowed to respond by attacking Israeli and US interests in the region.

An embargo on Iranian oil exports has been considered before but dismissed as it could also drive up global oil prices and harm Western economies, particularly in Europe.

It is believed the new measures could cut Tehran off from global energy markets without raising the price of fuel
BBC News - US warns Iran over threat to block oil route

 

[Amuroray]

The USAs navy is unparalleled in its strength.Iran would be wise to listen.It would be all over quick for irans navy.

 

[PERSIAN GOD KING]

The USAs navy is unparalleled in its strength.Iran would be wise to listen.It would be all over quick for irans navy.

LOL, yeah their fifth fleet could finish Iran off in seconds...

---------- Post added at 03:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:40 AM ----------

No doubt us has more ships than Iran, and more advanced stuff, but their ships would be sunked easily by Iran.Will they stop all the missile coming at them?

 

[canadian icehole]

didn't someone here already mentioned that the Americans import very little (if any) oil from that route? if so, why should the Americans be involved?

 

[Americanpeacebomber]

The USAs navy is unparalleled in its strength.Iran would be wise to listen.It would be all over quick for irans navy.

Wise words.

---------- Post added at 06:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:02 PM ----------

Iran's navy would make nice reef.

 

[Harry_Thomason]

The USAs navy is unparalleled in its strength.Iran would be wise to listen.It would be all over quick for irans navy.

Look up 2002 Millennium Challenge, you will learn a few things.

 

[yahya07]

LOL, yeah their fifth fleet could finish Iran off in seconds...

---------- Post added at 03:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:40 AM ----------

No doubt us has more ships than Iran, and more advanced stuff, but their ships would be sunked easily by Iran.Will they stop all the missile coming at them?

How are US ships "easily sunk" by Iranian missiles? Please explain this. Also US does have formidable anti-missile systems on their fleet, which would provide them certain level of protection.

Second, US battleships and aircraft carriers will just simply overwhelm anything Iran has to offer. If Iran takes this course of action, they will not only agitate the entire world but also their neighbours in the Gulf, including Iraq. At best Iran may be able to disturb free passage on the Strait of Hormuz, but they won't be able to hold it thats for damn sure.

 

[gambit]

Look up 2002 Millennium Challenge, you will learn a few things.

Apparently you did not take your own advice. Exercises that that are not meant to IMPOSE limitations but to explore avenues to potential threats. But here is a better lesson for you: Only the US can conduct such an exercise, not Iran, because Iran has no aircraft carrier to SIMULATE a superior opposition in order to STIMULATE asymmetric warfare innovations. Simulate to stimulate sounds catchy but it is the truth and in war games, the better whatever it is that can simulate, the better the experience and problems that WILL expose themselves, and nothing is better than the real thing.

 

[Devil Soul]

US ready if Iran blocks oil route
By: Agencies | January 09, 2012
WASHINGTON - The United States will respond if Iran tries to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday, saying such a move would cross a “red line.”
“We made very clear that the United States will not tolerate the blocking of the Straits of Hormuz,” Panetta told CBS television. “That’s another red line for us and that we will respond to them.” Panetta was seconded by General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said Iran has the means to close the waterway, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil passes.
“But we would take action and reopen the Straits,” the general said on the same show, “Face the Nation.”
Their comments follow Iranian threats to close the strait if the European Union goes through with an embargo on Iranian oil, the latest step to pressure Tehran to give up a nuclear programme that the West suspects is aimed at gaining atomic weapons.
Panetta said Iran was laying the groundwork for making nuclear weapons someday, but is not yet building a bomb and called for continued diplomatic and economic pressure to persuade Tehran not to take that step. As he has previously, Panetta cautioned against a unilateral strike by Israel against Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying the action could trigger Iranian retaliation against US forces in the region.
“We have common cause here” with Israel, he said. “And the better approach is for us to work together.”
Panetta’s remarks on CBS’ Face the Nation, which were taped Friday and aired Sunday, reflect the long-held view of the Obama administration that Iran is not yet committed to building a nuclear arsenal, only to creating the industrial and scientific capacity to allow one if its leaders to decide to take that final step.
Iran says its nuclear programme is only for energy and medical research, and refuses to halt uranium enrichment
A leading hardline Iranian newspaper reported Sunday that Iran has begun uranium enrichment at a new underground site well protected from possible airstrikes.
In a talk at a Brookings Institution forum in December, Panetta said an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would “at best” delay Iran’s nuclear programme by one or two years. Among the unintended consequences, he said, would be an increase in international support for Iran and the likelihood of Iranian retaliation against US forces and bases in the Mideast. Panetta did not discuss the issue directly on Sunday’s “Face the Nation.” But Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dempsey said that he wanted the Iranians to believe that a US military strike could wipe out their nuclear programme.
“I absolutely want them to believe that’s the case,” he said.
Panetta did not rule out launching a pre-emptive strike.
“But the responsible thing to do right now is to keep putting diplomatic and economic pressure on them to force them to do the right thing,” he said. “And to make sure that they do not make the decision to proceed with the development of a nuclear weapon.”
Panetta said if Iran started developing a weapon, the US would act. “I think they need to know that - that if they take that step - that they’re going to get stopped.”
Panetta cautioned global rivals not to misjudge US plans to slash military spending over the next decade, saying America would still field the world’s strongest military and nobody should “mess with that.”
Panetta also reminded Republican presidential contenders who have criticised the Pentagon’s new military strategy that the decision to cut $487 billion in defence spending was made by a bipartisan Congress.
“I think this country has to deal with the reality of the situation that we’re confronting,” Panetta said. “We’re coming out of a decade of war. We’re facing a huge budget crisis in this country. The Congress said ... we have to reduce the defence budget by $487 billion.”
Gen Dempsey told “Face the Nation” he worried that some countries might misunderstand the debate Americans are having over changing strategy and the need to cut defence spending.
“There may be some around the world who see us as a nation in decline, and worse, as a military in decline. And nothing could be further from the truth,” Dempsey said.
He said such a miscalculation could be “troublesome” in dealing with countries like Iran or North Korea but it could also cause close friends to wonder if the United States would continue to be a consistent ally.
“What I’d like to say right now is we’re the same partner we’ve always been, and intend to remain that way,” Dempsey said.
Panetta said US rivals should not misunderstand the situation.
“I think the message that the world needs to understand is: America is the strongest military power and we intend to remain the strongest military power and nobody ought to mess with that,” he said.

 

[T-Rex]

US ready if Iran blocks oil route
By: Agencies | January 09, 2012
WASHINGTON - The United States will respond if Iran tries to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday, saying such a move would cross a “red line.”
“We made very clear that the United States will not tolerate the blocking of the Straits of Hormuz,” Panetta told CBS television. “That’s another red line for us and that we will respond to them.” Panetta was seconded by General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said Iran has the means to close the waterway, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil passes.
“But we would take action and reopen the Straits,” the general said on the same show, “Face the Nation.”
Their comments follow Iranian threats to close the strait if the European Union goes through with an embargo on Iranian oil, the latest step to pressure Tehran to give up a nuclear programme that the West suspects is aimed at gaining atomic weapons.
Panetta said Iran was laying the groundwork for making nuclear weapons someday, but is not yet building a bomb and called for continued diplomatic and economic pressure to persuade Tehran not to take that step. As he has previously, Panetta cautioned against a unilateral strike by Israel against Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying the action could trigger Iranian retaliation against US forces in the region.
“We have common cause here” with Israel, he said. “And the better approach is for us to work together.”
Panetta’s remarks on CBS’ Face the Nation, which were taped Friday and aired Sunday, reflect the long-held view of the Obama administration that Iran is not yet committed to building a nuclear arsenal, only to creating the industrial and scientific capacity to allow one if its leaders to decide to take that final step.
Iran says its nuclear programme is only for energy and medical research, and refuses to halt uranium enrichment
A leading hardline Iranian newspaper reported Sunday that Iran has begun uranium enrichment at a new underground site well protected from possible airstrikes.
In a talk at a Brookings Institution forum in December, Panetta said an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would “at best” delay Iran’s nuclear programme by one or two years. Among the unintended consequences, he said, would be an increase in international support for Iran and the likelihood of Iranian retaliation against US forces and bases in the Mideast. Panetta did not discuss the issue directly on Sunday’s “Face the Nation.” But Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dempsey said that he wanted the Iranians to believe that a US military strike could wipe out their nuclear programme.
“I absolutely want them to believe that’s the case,” he said.
Panetta did not rule out launching a pre-emptive strike.
“But the responsible thing to do right now is to keep putting diplomatic and economic pressure on them to force them to do the right thing,” he said. “And to make sure that they do not make the decision to proceed with the development of a nuclear weapon.”
Panetta said if Iran started developing a weapon, the US would act. “I think they need to know that - that if they take that step - that they’re going to get stopped.”
Panetta cautioned global rivals not to misjudge US plans to slash military spending over the next decade, saying America would still field the world’s strongest military and nobody should “mess with that.”
Panetta also reminded Republican presidential contenders who have criticised the Pentagon’s new military strategy that the decision to cut $487 billion in defence spending was made by a bipartisan Congress.
“I think this country has to deal with the reality of the situation that we’re confronting,” Panetta said. “We’re coming out of a decade of war. We’re facing a huge budget crisis in this country. The Congress said ... we have to reduce the defence budget by $487 billion.”
Gen Dempsey told “Face the Nation” he worried that some countries might misunderstand the debate Americans are having over changing strategy and the need to cut defence spending.
“There may be some around the world who see us as a nation in decline, and worse, as a military in decline. And nothing could be further from the truth,” Dempsey said.
He said such a miscalculation could be “troublesome” in dealing with countries like Iran or North Korea but it could also cause close friends to wonder if the United States would continue to be a consistent ally.
“What I’d like to say right now is we’re the same partner we’ve always been, and intend to remain that way,” Dempsey said.
Panetta said US rivals should not misunderstand the situation.
“I think the message that the world needs to understand is: America is the strongest military power and we intend to remain the strongest military power and nobody ought to mess with that,” he said.

The question is, is israel ready to tackle the consequence of what the US is doing? The US thinks that it is still 1991, but in reality, unwittingly the US government is shoring up another 1979 scenario. Of course, Iran will suffer, but I'm pretty sure it will finish off for good whatever is left of that american century.

 

[Harry_Thomason]

Its very simple, if US wont allow Iran to export oil to anyone, Iran will close the Strait, they would have nothing to lose.

Bottom line is the same: since US wants war, its better for Iran if it happens when its more suitable for them, instead of when Iran is weakened by the zero exports many years later.

 

[T-Rex]

Something tells me Obama might blink, he's a typical american, brave when facing weak nations but an outright coward when facing a relatively strong adversary.

 

[IceCold]

The US can take Iran out, the question arises at what cost? By reading Leon Panetta remarks, it is clear that they are well aware of the Iranian retaliation and its implications on the US forces in the region. None of the US wars have ever been popular back home and this one will be no different either.
Americans need to understand that a nuclear weapon is not their personal property that can allow some to make, while decline others not too. Iran has a right to develop nuclear weapon if it intends too and i personally think it should to keep israel in its place.

 

[T-Rex]

The US can take Iran out,

It depends on what you mean by taking Iran out. I personally believe that Iran can never be defeated. It can be seriously harmed but not defeated.

 

[IceCold]

It depends on what you mean by taking Iran out. I personally believe that Iran can never be defeated. It can be seriously harmed but not defeated.

It depends how you define the word defeat sir?