Posted on 08/06/2006 4:17:54 PM PDT by blam
Iran threatens to use 'oil weapon' in nuclear standoff
· Energy crisis would leave people 'shivering in cold'
· UN deadline looms for Tehran to accept deal
Simon Tisdall in Tehran
Monday August 7, 2006
The Guardian (UK)
Iran warned Britain and the US yesterday that the international community could face a new oil crisis if the United Nations security council imposes sanctions on Tehran over its alleged attempt to acquire a nuclear weapons-making capability. Speaking in Tehran, Ali Larijani, the country's chief nuclear negotiator and head of the supreme national security council, said Iran would be reluctant to cut its oil exports. "We do not want to use the oil weapon. It is them who would impose it upon us."
But Mr Larijani added that if the west did decide on sanctions, "we will react in a way that would be painful for them ... Do not force us to do something that will make people shiver in the cold." Iran is the world's fourth largest oil exporter and is estimated to have the second largest oil and gas reserves.
Global energy prices could be expected to reach new highs if Tehran's threat is carried out - although analysts point out that one of the first economic casualties might be Iran itself.
Urged on by Britain, the US, France and Germany, the UN security council passed a resolution last week imposing a deadline of August 31 for Iran to accept a western package of incentives in return for suspending uranium enrichment at its Natanz facility, or face the prospect of political, economic and financial sanctions.
Mr Larijani rejected the resolution as "illegal" and said Iran would not abide by the deadline. He reiterated Tehran's argument, repeated during the course of three years of largely fruitless negotiations with. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
80% of Iran's GDP is from oil exports. If they cut them, they cut themselves.
Bet we'd get serious about drilling Alaska, off Florida & California, refine more shale oil, use more clean coal technology, use more nuclear power for anything requiring a lot of power, heat or steam...
This is going to get interesting, b. Popcorn? A cold one?
How about the US use the Nuclear weapon, in the Oil Standoff?
Well, it's around 83 today, so bring it on.
Yes, we could blockade. We can afford $100 a barrel oil coming from other sources better than Iran can afford $0 a barrel oil they can't sell.
These dogs need to be put down --- hard
A small nuke outside of Tehran with the understanding that more and bigger will follow if our oil supply is disturbed would (should) get their attention.
Grab a bully by the 'nads and his heart and mind will meekly follow!
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and the people in Iran would be very angry at their nutcase leaders. It could result in regime change?
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Definitely could result in regime change from within if the Mullahs starve their own people. I suspect they are blowing hot air. For one, the USA imports not one single drop of oil from Iran.
I say, let them do it. We can all laugh at them as unrest takes over their country. And second, I guess their Allah-Bomb isn't qwuite ready if they are resorting to cutting oil exports. And that is good news.
Iran-Iraq War 1980 to 1988 Iran's oil exports went to nothing and the price of oil dropped.
"Bet we'd get serious about drilling Alaska, off Florida & California, refine more shale oil, use more clean coal technology, use more nuclear power for anything requiring a lot of power, heat or steam..."
Those ideas are 10-15 years from supplying power. The interim years would be the end of this country. BUT, we need to start NOW. If we do, the very act of self supply might change some mid-east minds (and venezuelan)!
I guess I'll have to head down to my local, evil, WalMart and buy and extra set of sweats for this winter.
Iran sells oil to China and India, not us. The U.S has plenty in reserves off the coasts and in Alaska. Should gas reach $4 a gal., even the wacko Dems couldn't stop the drilling.
I'm weally,weally scawed. NOT!
this is their ace in the hole, and they know it. the US economy cannot sustain $150 oil for too long, and the american sheeple, who are already too "inconvienced" by the thought of the war on terror - will really turn against it when gas is $5 a gallon.
They'd only cut off exports to us...
Well, we should have started in 1973...
premium is $3.40 a gallon in NY right now - see any pressure on the Dems (and some RINOs) to open up drilling?
none.
Iran Threatens.. Iran Threatens.. Iran Threatens.. ad nauseam.
What are we waiting for..
Who owns all those tankers? Without them who is going to truck the oil out?
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