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Iran threatens interference of oil route
Tehran, Iran (AP) - Iran's navy chief warned Wednesday that his country can easily close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the passageway through which a sixth of the world's oil flows.
In a terse reaction, a statement from the U.S. Navy's 5th fleet says disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz "will not be tolerated."
It was the second such warning in two days. On Tuesday, Vice President Mohamed Reza Rahimi threatened to close the strait, cutting off oil exports, if the West imposes sanctions on Iran's oil shipments.
"Closing the Strait of Hormuz is very easy for Iranian naval forces," Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told state-run Press TV. "Iran has comprehensive control over the strategic waterway," the navy chief said.
The threats underline Iranian concern that the West is about to impose new sanctions that could target Tehran's vital oil industry and exports.
Western nations are growing increasingly impatient with Iran over its nuclear program. The U.S. and its allies have accused Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the charges, saying its program is geared toward generating electricity and producing medical radioisotopes to treat cancer patients.
Congress has passed a bill banning dealings with the Iran Central Bank, and President Obama has said he will sign it despite his misgivings. Critics warn it could impose hardships on U.S. allies and drive up oil prices.
The bill could impose penalties on foreign firms that do business with Iran's central bank. European and Asian nations import Iranian oil and use its central bank for the transactions.
With concern growing over a possible drop-off in Iranian oil supplies, a senior Saudi oil official said Gulf Arab nations are ready to step in if necessary and offset any potential loss of Iranian crude in the world markets.
Reflecting unease over the rising tensions, the U.S. benchmark crude futures contract for February delivery was above $101 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Its London-based Brent counterpart fell slightly, but still remained above $109 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.
Iran is the world's fourth-largest oil producer, with an output of about 4 million barrels of oil a day. It relies on oil exports for about 80 percent of its public revenues.
Iran has adopted an aggressive military posture in recent months in response to increasing threats from the U.S. and Israel that they may take military action to stop Iran's nuclear program.
The navy is in the midst of a 10-day drill in international waters near the strategic oil route. The exercises began Saturday and involve submarines, missile drills, torpedoes and drones. The war games cover a 1,250-mile (2,000-kilometer) stretch of sea off the Strait of Hormuz, northern parts of the Indian Ocean and into the Gulf of Aden near the entrance to the Red Sea as a show of strength and could bring Iranian ships into proximity with U.S. Navy vessels in the area.
Iranian media are describing how Iran could move to close the strait, saying the country would use a combination of warships, submarines, speed boats, anti-ship cruise missiles, torpedoes, surface-to-sea missiles and drones to stop ships from sailing through the narrow waterway.
Iran's navy claims it has sonar-evading submarines designed for shallow waters of the Persian Gulf, enabling it to hit passing enemy vessels.
A closure of the strait could temporarily cut off some oil supplies and force shippers to take longer, more expensive routes that would drive oil prices higher. It also potentially opens the door for a military confrontation that would further rattle global oil markets.
Iran claimed a victory this month when it captured an American surveillance drone almost intact. It went public with its possession of the RQ-170 Sentinel to trumpet the downing as a feat of Iran's military in a complicated technological and intelligence battle with the U.S.
American officials have said that U.S. intelligence assessments indicate the drone malfunctioned.
http://www.wltx.com/news/national/article/165300/142/Iran-Threatens-Strategic-Oil-Transport-Route
In a terse reaction, a statement from the U.S. Navy's 5th fleet says disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz "will not be tolerated."
It was the second such warning in two days. On Tuesday, Vice President Mohamed Reza Rahimi threatened to close the strait, cutting off oil exports, if the West imposes sanctions on Iran's oil shipments.
"Closing the Strait of Hormuz is very easy for Iranian naval forces," Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told state-run Press TV. "Iran has comprehensive control over the strategic waterway," the navy chief said.
The threats underline Iranian concern that the West is about to impose new sanctions that could target Tehran's vital oil industry and exports.
Western nations are growing increasingly impatient with Iran over its nuclear program. The U.S. and its allies have accused Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the charges, saying its program is geared toward generating electricity and producing medical radioisotopes to treat cancer patients.
Congress has passed a bill banning dealings with the Iran Central Bank, and President Obama has said he will sign it despite his misgivings. Critics warn it could impose hardships on U.S. allies and drive up oil prices.
The bill could impose penalties on foreign firms that do business with Iran's central bank. European and Asian nations import Iranian oil and use its central bank for the transactions.
With concern growing over a possible drop-off in Iranian oil supplies, a senior Saudi oil official said Gulf Arab nations are ready to step in if necessary and offset any potential loss of Iranian crude in the world markets.
Reflecting unease over the rising tensions, the U.S. benchmark crude futures contract for February delivery was above $101 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Its London-based Brent counterpart fell slightly, but still remained above $109 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.
Iran is the world's fourth-largest oil producer, with an output of about 4 million barrels of oil a day. It relies on oil exports for about 80 percent of its public revenues.
Iran has adopted an aggressive military posture in recent months in response to increasing threats from the U.S. and Israel that they may take military action to stop Iran's nuclear program.
The navy is in the midst of a 10-day drill in international waters near the strategic oil route. The exercises began Saturday and involve submarines, missile drills, torpedoes and drones. The war games cover a 1,250-mile (2,000-kilometer) stretch of sea off the Strait of Hormuz, northern parts of the Indian Ocean and into the Gulf of Aden near the entrance to the Red Sea as a show of strength and could bring Iranian ships into proximity with U.S. Navy vessels in the area.
Iranian media are describing how Iran could move to close the strait, saying the country would use a combination of warships, submarines, speed boats, anti-ship cruise missiles, torpedoes, surface-to-sea missiles and drones to stop ships from sailing through the narrow waterway.
Iran's navy claims it has sonar-evading submarines designed for shallow waters of the Persian Gulf, enabling it to hit passing enemy vessels.
A closure of the strait could temporarily cut off some oil supplies and force shippers to take longer, more expensive routes that would drive oil prices higher. It also potentially opens the door for a military confrontation that would further rattle global oil markets.
Iran claimed a victory this month when it captured an American surveillance drone almost intact. It went public with its possession of the RQ-170 Sentinel to trumpet the downing as a feat of Iran's military in a complicated technological and intelligence battle with the U.S.
American officials have said that U.S. intelligence assessments indicate the drone malfunctioned.
http://www.wltx.com/news/national/article/165300/142/Iran-Threatens-Strategic-Oil-Transport-Route
You guys all know that I don't typically buy into conspiracy theories of any sort. But my opinion on what is going on here does kind of make me sound that way. My thoughts are this...
We all know that both China and Russia opposed sanctions against Iran in the past. It would also seem that much of Iran's military technology and arms come from those same two countries. There is sort of an unofficial alliance there of some sort. So given that Iran knows they have that backing...maybe not if it came to military action, but at least support, I think they are trying to push the US into military action. We know what happened to public opinion of the US when they declared war against Iraq without the UN's consent or backing right? So if they can sort of force the same issue here, especially given the debt load the US is carrying with China....I think you would seem some "lines in the sand" being drawn. I really just think they are trying to stir up trouble and divide allegience's. I know, a bit far fetched, but I do think there might be something to this. Iran has no chance in a military action against the US, but if they forced China and Russia into it (think oil and how much comes out of Iran), it becomes a different story. Good Lord, I'm getting paranoid...seriously. I just reread this and it sounds crazy, but I just feel like there is so much happening here behind the scenes with these particular 3 countries.
We all know that both China and Russia opposed sanctions against Iran in the past. It would also seem that much of Iran's military technology and arms come from those same two countries. There is sort of an unofficial alliance there of some sort. So given that Iran knows they have that backing...maybe not if it came to military action, but at least support, I think they are trying to push the US into military action. We know what happened to public opinion of the US when they declared war against Iraq without the UN's consent or backing right? So if they can sort of force the same issue here, especially given the debt load the US is carrying with China....I think you would seem some "lines in the sand" being drawn. I really just think they are trying to stir up trouble and divide allegience's. I know, a bit far fetched, but I do think there might be something to this. Iran has no chance in a military action against the US, but if they forced China and Russia into it (think oil and how much comes out of Iran), it becomes a different story. Good Lord, I'm getting paranoid...seriously. I just reread this and it sounds crazy, but I just feel like there is so much happening here behind the scenes with these particular 3 countries.
I gotta tell ya. I really wonder what the true story of all this is. The timing of it all really bothers me. I did a bible study years ago and one of the things that we concluded was that The US would be brought down by a tiny little country and the 3rd world war would be started over the fight for oil that came thru the strait of hormouz. (CREEPY) I know!.
Anyway, back on point here. I wonder how much all this has to do with the pipeline subject. I dont know, something doesnt feel right about this. I hear all the words but frankly, uh not sure Im buying it. I guess I just dont think the US can survive without being in a war with someone. It appears that way anyway.
Anyway, back on point here. I wonder how much all this has to do with the pipeline subject. I dont know, something doesnt feel right about this. I hear all the words but frankly, uh not sure Im buying it. I guess I just dont think the US can survive without being in a war with someone. It appears that way anyway.
This is all the more reason for all countries to re-evaluate all trade policies with China and Russia.
I read a deal on Yahoo news yesterday about a billionaire in India who is basically looking for an area to "set up shop" so to speak. The guy made is money in pharmaceuticals, and was going to open a big lab/warehouse/shipping outfit there, but the "rules are making it too difficult, financially". I'm paraphrasing, but basically he said, "what takes me months, perhaps several months to get resolved within government in India, I can get solved in China in a week or two. Why not start business in China? My client base cannot wait for product."
It's things like this that allow China to get the foothold it currently has in the global market. They are welcoming industry from everywhere, and look what it has done for them as a country.
Personally, I think every free thinking nation ought to sever all ties to the middle east at once, and concentrate on issues pertaining to fossil fuels at home... while working on viable other resources. Just get the hell out of there. Yeah, China will be buying their oil then... we'd be producing our own and making this country strong again by providing all kinds of jobs... not just in the oil industry, but elsewhere. Also, we should be making it attractive for people to start business here, and disallow any "American" company in China, India or elsewhere to trade here. I just think we need to start being much more self efficient. Anything we import, make the environment right to produce that stuff here. Somehow at the same time, lower the cost of living and producing in this country.
I read a deal on Yahoo news yesterday about a billionaire in India who is basically looking for an area to "set up shop" so to speak. The guy made is money in pharmaceuticals, and was going to open a big lab/warehouse/shipping outfit there, but the "rules are making it too difficult, financially". I'm paraphrasing, but basically he said, "what takes me months, perhaps several months to get resolved within government in India, I can get solved in China in a week or two. Why not start business in China? My client base cannot wait for product."
It's things like this that allow China to get the foothold it currently has in the global market. They are welcoming industry from everywhere, and look what it has done for them as a country.
Personally, I think every free thinking nation ought to sever all ties to the middle east at once, and concentrate on issues pertaining to fossil fuels at home... while working on viable other resources. Just get the hell out of there. Yeah, China will be buying their oil then... we'd be producing our own and making this country strong again by providing all kinds of jobs... not just in the oil industry, but elsewhere. Also, we should be making it attractive for people to start business here, and disallow any "American" company in China, India or elsewhere to trade here. I just think we need to start being much more self efficient. Anything we import, make the environment right to produce that stuff here. Somehow at the same time, lower the cost of living and producing in this country.
In watching the news programs talking about this, and trying to read as much as I can on it, this seems like a threat that cannot be enforced. The US navy patrols this area, and although the military said that Iran could certainly interfere with the oil being transported through this straight (app. 40% of the worlds oil comes through here), it would be next to impossible for them to blockade it, or completely stop it. Problem is of course, this threat alone impacted trading and sent the cost of oil up yesterday. In my opinion, Iran is desperately trying to pick a fight here.
Officials also still seem to believe that China and Russia are backing Iran, which poses an extra problem all on it's own.
Officials also still seem to believe that China and Russia are backing Iran, which poses an extra problem all on it's own.
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