US Responds to Iranian Threats to Close Strait of Hormuz

[Conley]

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16348633

Oil prices are sure to rise as the saber-rattling increases. Good news for alternate energy investments.

[Peter1469]

Well, get off oil and forget about the Strait of Hormuz.

[Conley]

Yep, this could all turn out very well. Every step that moves us away from oil is a good one.

[MMC]

Yes lets continue to move in that direction. I for one would like to see how the Sunni will be able to dictate to the World when they have no more of the stuff. Once the Oil is all gone. Looks Like they will be forced back to Goat-Herding. Awwww Aint that a Shame!

[MMC]

We have done more than respond now after the Iranians second threat!

http://news.yahoo.com/us-warns-iran-against-closing-hormuz-oil-route-173312409.html

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The U.S. warned Iran Wednesday that it will not tolerate any disruption of naval traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran's navy chief said the Islamic Republic is capable of closing the vital oil route if the West imposes new sanctions targeting Tehran's oil exports.

In response, the Bahrain-based U.S. 5th Fleet's spokeswoman warned that any disruption at the strait "will not be tolerated."
The spokeswoman, Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, said the U.S. Navy is "always ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation."

With concern growing over a possible drop-off in Iranian oil supplies if sanctions are imposed, a senior Saudi oil official said Gulf Arab nations are ready to offset any loss of Iranian crude.

That reassurance led to a drop in world oil prices. In New York, benchmark crude fell 77 cents to $100.57 a barrel in morning trading. Brent crude fell 82 cents to $108.45 a barrel in London.

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.....snip~

Little the think tank professor out of Washington has stated that if Iran was to do this. The end result would be the loss of 90% of the Iranian Navy. Which he is correct in that assessment. Yet still the Iranians give insight. With their use of submersibles to handle their shallow waters. In essence models armed with explosives. Now this I can see them doing.

The issue of the Drone we lost and Iran showed is a mute point. It doesnt matter how it came down. Nor why. Which this administration needs to quit making excuses over. What matters now is they have it. They can re-engineer it and they can offer the tech to the Chinese and or Russians. Possibly to the highest bidder even. Moreover they could even possible learn how to mess with the tech compromising more of our Unmanned Drones.

[MMC]

Did ya see this CL?

[Conley]

No I missed it. Thanks for the heads up! Long day at the office... :angry: