BEIJING,Dec. 30 (Xinhuanet) – Iran's navy chief has warned that the country can easily close the strategic Strait of Hor-muz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. This is the passageway through which a sixth of the world’s oil flows. It is the second such warning in two days.
On Tuesday, Iran’s Vice President, Mohamed Reza Rahimi, threatened to close the strait, cutting off oil exports.
That followed a decision by EU foreign ministers to tighten sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. They also agreed to leave the door open to the possibility of an oil embargo and on moves by the US to expand sanctions.
But according to some analysts, Iran’s navy lacks the capacity to physically block the Strait. But it does have mine-laying and missile capability.
The Obama administration has said it will not tolerate any attempt by Iran to disrupt traffic through the Strait.
In a strongly worded warning, Washington said that if Iranian ships came out from the coastline, the US would consider it an act of war.
Tehranalso has adopted an aggressive military posture in recent months. Its navy is in the midst of a ten-day drill in international waters near the strategic oil route.
The exercises cover a 2,000-kilometre 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.
Playing the surveillance hand in light of the recent US drone incident, Iran says it has video footage and photographs of a US aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.
Both sides are watching each other carefully.
(Source: CNTV)
Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/video/2011-12/30/c_131335130.htm
