TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran threatened Tuesday to take action if the U.S. Navy moves an aircraft carrier into the Gulf, Tehran's most aggressive statement yet after weeks of saber-rattling as new U.S. and EU financial sanctions take a toll on its economy.
Queues formed at banks and some currency exchange offices shut their doors as Iranians scrambled to buy dollars to protect their savings from the currency's fall.
"Iran will not repeat its warning ... the enemy's carrier has been moved to the Sea of Oman because of our drill. I recommend and emphasize to the American carrier not to return to the Persian Gulf," army chief Salehi said.
The EU is expected to impose new sanctions by the end of this month, possibly including a ban on oil imports.
Even Iran's top trading partner China - which has refused to back new global sanctions against Iran - is demanding discounts to buy Iranian oil as Tehran's options narrow. Beijing has cut its imports of Iranian crude by more than half for January and, paying premiums for crude from Russia and Vietnam to replace it.
The European Union is expected to consider new measures by the end of this month, possibly including a blockade. EU members such as such as crisis-hit Greece are still buyers of Iranian oil, which trades at a discount.
Some exchange offices in Tehran, when contacted by Reuters, said there was no trading taking place until further notice.....snip~
http://news.yahoo.com/iran-threatens...082124042.html
Reuters – 59 mins ago.....More Here!
Things just got very real for us in the Persian Gulf. This threat came as Irans Market are being hit. I think China with having some of our debt is backing our play. Even tho they did not ride with us on these New Rounds of Sanctions.
Now the French have upped the ante. As Czarkosy has stated he is going for the oil Embargo. But to let the Iranians know they plan to request a blockade of Iran. Was a Pig-headed move by the French. Should have kept their mouths shut. Don't tell them anything until it is in progress. Now all the French have done is tipped everyone's hands. So now the Iranians will start mobilizing for war. IMO right now they are moving round some Sams.
Does any believe now that the Iranian threats are hollow? Their currency exchanges have been closed. Their markets are now Closed. Which means any they trade with has been put on hold, for the moment. Wonder what Putin will say about this?
Also there have been several Analysts that state to offset the Oil the Saudis were going to compensate for such. But all say Saudia Arabia is unable to do so. Now with Iran threatening our Navy, Oil Markets have begun to rise again.