الرئيسية
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The U.S. has strongly warned Iran against closing
a vital Persian Gulf waterway that carries one-sixth of the world's oil
supply, after Iran threatened to choke off traffic through the Strait
of Hormuz if Washington imposes sanctions targeting the country's crude
exports.
The increasingly heated exchange raises new tensions in a
standoff that has the potential to spark military reprisals and spike
oil prices to levels that could batter an already fragile global
economy.
Iran's navy chief said Wednesday that it would be "very
easy" for his country's forces to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz,
the passage at the mouth of the Persian Gulf through which about 15
million barrels of oil pass daily. It was the second such warning by
Iran in two days, reflecting Tehran's concern that the West is about to
impose new sanctions that could hit the country's biggest source of
revenue, oil.
"Iran has comprehensive control over the strategic
waterway," Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told state-run Press TV, as the
country was in the midst of a 10-day military drill near the strategic
waterway.
The comments drew a quick response from the U.S.
"This
is not just an important issue for security and stability in the
region, but is an economic lifeline for countries in the Gulf, to
include Iran," Pentagon press secretary George Little said.
"Interference with the transit or passage of vessels through the Strait
of Hormuz will not be tolerated."
Separately, Bahrain-based U.S.
Navy 5th Fleet spokeswoman Lt. Rebecca Rebarich said the Navy is "always
ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation."
Rebarich
declined to say whether the U.S. force had adjusted its presence or
readiness in the Gulf in response to Iran's comments, but said the Navy
"maintains a robust presence in the region to deter or counter
destabilizing activities, while safeguarding the region's vital links to
the international community."
Iran's threat to seal off the Gulf,
surrounded by oil-rich Gulf states, reflect its concerns over the
prospect that the Obama administration will impose sanctions over its
nuclear program that would severely hit its biggest revenue source. Iran
is the world's fourth-largest oil producer, pumping about 4 million
barrels a day.
Gulf Arab nations appeared ready to at least ease
market tensions. A senior Saudi Arabian oil official told The Associated
Press that Gulf Arab nations are ready to step in to offset any
potential loss of exports from Iran. The official spoke on condition of
anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the issue.
a vital Persian Gulf waterway that carries one-sixth of the world's oil
supply, after Iran threatened to choke off traffic through the Strait
of Hormuz if Washington imposes sanctions targeting the country's crude
exports.
The increasingly heated exchange raises new tensions in a
standoff that has the potential to spark military reprisals and spike
oil prices to levels that could batter an already fragile global
economy.
Iran's navy chief said Wednesday that it would be "very
easy" for his country's forces to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz,
the passage at the mouth of the Persian Gulf through which about 15
million barrels of oil pass daily. It was the second such warning by
Iran in two days, reflecting Tehran's concern that the West is about to
impose new sanctions that could hit the country's biggest source of
revenue, oil.
"Iran has comprehensive control over the strategic
waterway," Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told state-run Press TV, as the
country was in the midst of a 10-day military drill near the strategic
waterway.
The comments drew a quick response from the U.S.
"This
is not just an important issue for security and stability in the
region, but is an economic lifeline for countries in the Gulf, to
include Iran," Pentagon press secretary George Little said.
"Interference with the transit or passage of vessels through the Strait
of Hormuz will not be tolerated."
Separately, Bahrain-based U.S.
Navy 5th Fleet spokeswoman Lt. Rebecca Rebarich said the Navy is "always
ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation."
Rebarich
declined to say whether the U.S. force had adjusted its presence or
readiness in the Gulf in response to Iran's comments, but said the Navy
"maintains a robust presence in the region to deter or counter
destabilizing activities, while safeguarding the region's vital links to
the international community."
Iran's threat to seal off the Gulf,
surrounded by oil-rich Gulf states, reflect its concerns over the
prospect that the Obama administration will impose sanctions over its
nuclear program that would severely hit its biggest revenue source. Iran
is the world's fourth-largest oil producer, pumping about 4 million
barrels a day.
Gulf Arab nations appeared ready to at least ease
market tensions. A senior Saudi Arabian oil official told The Associated
Press that Gulf Arab nations are ready to step in to offset any
potential loss of exports from Iran. The official spoke on condition of
anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the issue.