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America warns Iran that blocking oil route will 'not be tolerated'
The Guardian ^ | Wednesday 28 December 2011 | Paul Harris

Posted on 12/28/2011 4:57:35 PM PST by MinorityRepublican

Iranian navy soldiers take part in a military exercise in the Strait of Homruz on Wednesday

Tensions between the United States and Iran have dangerously ratcheted up as naval officials with America's Fifth Fleet warned any attempt by Iran to close a strategically vital oil route through the Strait of Hormuz would "not be tolerated".

The news heightens a sense of growing crisis in the Persian Gulf after two days of threats by senior Iranian figures that they might shut down the important trade route in response to any future international sanctions against the country's oil exports.

"Anyone who threatens to disrupt freedom of navigation in an international strait is clearly outside the community of nations: any disruption will not be tolerated," US Fifth Fleet spokeswoman Lt Rebecca Rebarich told the Associated Press. She added that the US Navy was "...always ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation."

The Fifth Fleet is based in the tiny Gulf state of Bahrain and commands a huge flotilla of American naval might, including air craft carriers.

That US response came shortly after the head of the Iranian Navy warned that the country could easily close the Strait of Hormuz if it desired to do so.

"Closing the Strait of Hormuz is very easy for Iranian naval forces... it will be easier than drinking a glass of water," Admiral Habibollah Sayyari told the state-run Press TV channel. However, he did add that Iran currently had no plans to carry out the act.

But the war of words theoretically raises the prospect of a naval conflict in the Gulf between Iran and the United States.

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bluffing; chickens; economy; mutthameddogofislam; pockpock

1 posted on 12/28/2011 4:57:40 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

Yeah! Those raggies better knock it off before we’re forced into asking for a UN “resolution” against them! That’ll show ‘em!


2 posted on 12/28/2011 5:02:39 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Stop BIG Government Greed!!!!!)
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To: MinorityRepublican

That US response came shortly after the head of the Iranian Navy warned that the country could easily close the Strait of Hormuz if it desired to do so.

:::::::::::

If the US had a real president, the USA could close Iran if it desired to do so....


3 posted on 12/28/2011 5:09:11 PM PST by EagleUSA
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To: MinorityRepublican

Boy that’s telling them......I bet they are scared now! We have them on the run, prices of oil will be going down down down...So glad Obama stepped up to the plate on this one...........


4 posted on 12/28/2011 5:10:44 PM PST by blueyon (The U. S. Constitution - read it and weep)
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To: blueyon

Present? I don’t know scary times indeed, but I’m happy to know what truth and faith are about.


5 posted on 12/28/2011 5:17:39 PM PST by TBall
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A strongly worded letter is needed


6 posted on 12/28/2011 5:22:57 PM PST by dsrtsage (One half of all people have below average IQ...In the US the number is 54%)
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To: dsrtsage

double secret probation


7 posted on 12/28/2011 5:26:54 PM PST by maine yankee (I got my Governor at 'Marden's')
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To: MinorityRepublican
"Closing the Strait of Hormuz is very easy for Iranian naval forces... it will be easier than drinking a glass of water," Admiral Habibollah Sayyari told the state-run Press TV channel.


8 posted on 12/28/2011 5:32:55 PM PST by NittanyLion
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To: FlingWingFlyer

9 posted on 12/28/2011 5:33:49 PM PST by Old Sarge (RIP FReeper Skyraider (1930-2011) - You Are Missed)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Well, actually the raghead is right. Announce that a few dozen mines were lost in the Strait of Hormuz during exercises and watch the oil tankers’ insurance companies shut down traffic.


10 posted on 12/28/2011 5:37:39 PM PST by Jacquerie (No court will save us from ourselves.)
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To: Jacquerie

even fake mines would suffice..


11 posted on 12/28/2011 5:43:28 PM PST by RitchieAprile
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To: MinorityRepublican

Isn’t “america” the same bunch of lowlifes who are blocking the Keystone pipeline and keeping us dependent on Muzzie oil in the first place?


12 posted on 12/28/2011 6:10:06 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Stop BIG Government Greed!!!!!)
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To: NittanyLion

Yeah, Iranians have drinking problems.


13 posted on 12/28/2011 6:17:04 PM PST by BerryDingle (I know how to deal with communists, I still wear their scars on my back from Hollywood-Ronald Reagan)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Obama will fail this test, too.


14 posted on 12/28/2011 6:17:42 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.)
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To: FlingWingFlyer

Why be so radical? Why not send the Iranians a letter of protest first?


15 posted on 12/28/2011 6:21:21 PM PST by 353FMG
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To: FlingWingFlyer

We have a winner, for sure!


16 posted on 12/28/2011 6:24:18 PM PST by 353FMG
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To: MinorityRepublican

How much of the oil from Iran reaches the market through the Strait of Hormuz?


17 posted on 12/28/2011 6:47:43 PM PST by leprechaun9
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To: leprechaun9

One sixth of the worlds oil supply goes through the Strait of Hormuz.... as recently reported on Fox.


18 posted on 12/28/2011 8:00:13 PM PST by Gator113 (~Just livin' life, my way~.. Newt/Palin-West-2012."got a lot swirling around in my head.")
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To: MinorityRepublican
And since the Iranians are playing poker with Obama, we can just about bet the farm that they will call his bluff.


19 posted on 12/28/2011 8:04:07 PM PST by justa-hairyape
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