Iran could prevent even "a single drop of oil" passing through the Strait of Hormuz if its security is threatened, a naval chief said on Saturday, as tensions simmer over Tehran's nuclear program.Tehran will increase its military presence in international waters, said Ali Fadavi, naval commander in Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
"If they [the US] do not obey international laws and the IRGC's warnings, it will have very bad consequences for them," Fadavi said, according to Iran's Fars News Agency.
"The IRGC's naval forces have had the ability since the [Iran-Iraq] war to completely control the Strait of Hormuz and not allow even a single drop of oil to pass through."
Fadavi added: "IRGC special naval forces are present on all of the Islamic Republic of Iran's
ships in the Indian Ocean and to its east and west, to prevent any movement.""This IRGC naval force presence in international waters will increase," he added.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz shipping channel, through which 40 percent of the world's sea-borne oil exports passes, in retaliation for sanctions placed on its crude exports by Western powers.
The sanctions were imposed over Iran's nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at creating an atomic weapon. Iran says the program is for peaceful energy purposes.
The United States has beefed up its presence in the Gulf, adding a navy ship last week to help mine-clearing operations if Iran were to act on threats to block the strait.
Tehran said last month it was building more warships, in part to guard Iranian cargo ships from pirates, and Iranian military leaders often assert Iran's strength in the region and dominance in the Strait of Hormuz.
Military analysts have cast doubt on Iran's willingness to block the slender waterway, given the massive US-led retaliation it would likely incur.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Iran: We'll Close Strait Of Hormuz If Threatened
This update comes from the Jerusalem Post:
Whew...it justs continues to grow...Iran also has threatened to take out the Saudi oil fields too if they are attacked...nightmare of what that would do to oil prices. The way the world economy is now...whew 500.00 dollar a barrel oil...not good...
ReplyDeleteScott!!!!
ReplyDeleteDid you see this???
Israel advised to brace for Syrian missile attack – conventional or chemical
DEBKAfile Special Report July 14, 2012, 2:36 PM (GMT+02:00)
As the already unthinkable pace of slaughter in Syria accelerates further, Western military sources warned Saturday, July 14, that not only Israel, but additional strategic targets in Middle East lands deemed enemies by Bashar Assad should prepare for him to launch surface-to-surface missile attacks. The assaults would start out with conventional warheads, but as the regime continued to be hammered, the beleaguered ruler might well arm the next round of missiles from his huge stockpile of mustard gas - not to mention sarin nerve poison and cyanide.
Western intelligence sources say Assad has a list of targets ready to go. Analyzing the Syrian war game taking place last week, they calculated that Wednesday and Thursday, July 11 and 12, the Syrian army practiced shooting missiles at strategic centers in Israel, Turkey and Jordan.
more at:
http://www.debka.com/article/22180/Israel-advised-to-brace-for-Syrian-missile-attack-–-conventional-or-chemical
Israeli
Ynet is reporting that our own intelligence sources say Assad is simply moving the chemical andbio-weapons to a safer location. Our sources are watching carefully but not worried as of now.
DeleteIsraeli
Assad's only hope of hanging on, hinges on refocusing the rebels attention, from him, their common enemy, Israel. With Ramadan only five days off, it only stands to reason he's plotting a strike.
ReplyDeleteAnon, are you in Israel as your moniker appears to indicate? If not, who's sources are you referring to?
ReplyDeleteI live in Israel, and I posted Debkafile's link, and the name of the other, Ynet news. Can't post a link on that from cell phone.
DeleteIsraeli
Anon - headed there now, thanks for the heads up:)
ReplyDeleteIt seems a little unclear now - why they are moving these weapons. Debka recognizes the option of further measures of safe storage but also that there could be other reasons...One would think that they already had this stuff in the safest possible location, but maybe not.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, stocks continue to look
ReplyDeletebullish. I seriously DOUBT that anything material will happen with
the dow headed straight UP.
I would need to see 12, 450 taken out, I have SAID this many times.
We are almost 12, 800 right now.
Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>