Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz
 

Now we know what they've been practising for..

Iran threatens to block oil exports through Hormuz strait in sanctions row

Country reacts to threat of sanctions on its crude oil after UN watchdog's report into state's nuclear ambitions

Iran threatened on Tuesday to stop the flow of oil through the strait of Hormuz if foreign sanctions were imposed on its crude exports because of its nuclear ambitions............

Iran navy chief says shutting off Gulf "very easy"

Teheran Times: Iran’s Speculation on Blocking of the Strait of Hormuz: Legal and Political Backings

Second time in as many weeks. Last time oil went up 2$ a barrel within hours. This is either old news or Iran playing with world economics and laughing.

It's brinkmanship. Ira is trying to stop the next round of sanctions being applied, with the EU meeting to approve their boycott of Iranian oil in January.

"Our enemies will give up on their plots against Iran only if we give them a firm and strong lesson," Mr Rahimi said.

The trouble with such brinkmanship is what can happen when neither side blinks and neither can lose face by stepping back.

Iran has a very powerful weapon in its threats or ability to close the Strait of Hormuz however I think it is a double edged sword.

Iran is a net exporter of oil so closing the strait would reduce its ability to earn export income. It is also a net importer of fuel as it only has enough capacity to refine about 50% of its domestic requirements so a closure would also affect its ability to import this. Other Middle East oil producers might also get a bit annoyed with Iran and therefore cut off their exports to the country. Either way this would lead to domestic supplies would be squeezed and the population would be effected.

SAM - you are of course, right. PJHQ is setting up a Op Team to consider the points you have just raised, and they thank you for your guidance.

SAM,

We don't need any great military brains on here when we have you....

I don't suppose it has occurred to you that the location and activities of the Iranian Kilos are closely monitored on a daily basis? Do you think they could mine the Straits totally unnoticed....



As for Iran closing the straits, that would fairly quickly alienate most of the world against them, which isn't exactly going to help their cause in the fight against the 'Great Satan'! Then again, maybe they don't care.....

I posted a link in reply to SAM's observations explaining where that Russian Battle Group is heading but it appears to have disappeared?? Is it me that cannot see the wood for the trees or has that post vanished?

John the very confused from sunny Torquay

Here is the missing link that explains where the Russian battle group is heading.

U.S. Fifth Fleet says won't allow disruption in Hormuz | Reuters

U.S. Navy won't tolerate 'disruption' through Strait of Hormuz - CNN.com

U.S. Navy won't tolerate 'disruption' through Strait of Hormuz

John the Very Confused,

Not just you, Mate. It's definately not there. Probably removed by Mossad.

U.S. Warships Cross Hormuz Despite Iran Threats

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 29 Dec 2011 13:18


WASHINGTON - Two American warships have crossed through the Strait of Hormuz [ outbound] without incident despite Iranian threats to close the strategic oil route, the U.S. Navy said Dec. 29.

The U.S. aircraft carrier Stennis is seen where Iranian ships are conducting 10 days of wargames in the Persian Gulf, accoridng to Iranian officials. (Fars News / AFP via Getty Images)

The aircraft carrier John C. Stennis and the guided-missile cruiser Mobile Bay "conducted a pre-planned, routine transit through the Strait of Hormuz" on Dec. 27, said Fifth Fleet spokeswoman Lt. Rebecca Rebarich.


The U.S. military reported no friction with Iran's naval forces after Iranian leaders warned of possibly shutting down the vital strait if the West went ahead with more punitive sanctions over its suspect nuclear program.

"Our interaction with the regular Iranian Navy continues to be within the standards of maritime practice, well-known, routine and professional," Rebarich said in an email from Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

The U.S. warships paid a visit to the port of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates before traveling through the strait to the Arabian Sea, where the vessels will provide air power for NATO-led forces in Afghanistan, she said.

In response to Tehran's threats, the U.S. military said Dec. 28 that any attempt to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz would not be tolerated.

The U.S. aircraft carrier and cruiser made their through the narrow channel as Iran's navy was carrying out war games to the east of the Strait of Hormuz in a show of military might.

Iran's navy commander, Adm. Habibollah Sayari, said the aircraft carrier was monitored as it passed through the strait to the Gulf of Oman, according to Iranian state television.

...

U.S. Warships Cross Hormuz Despite Iran Threats - Defense News


Wonder if there are any USN aircraft carriers left in the Gulf of Araby now?

Seems to me Iran has been boasting to cash a check that is bound to bounce, a simple nationalistic rally. I give more respect to the silverback in the Congo pounding on his chest, in the jungle most know to leave him alone. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, thinks he is a player in the hood.... Son, he has no idea he is challenging an oldschool gangster...

I hope work on pipelines from Kuwait, Eastern Saudi, Qatar and the UAE to a terminal on the Arabian Sea coast of Oman is well under way?

They don't need to actually mine it, just by saying they have would almost certainly bring traffic to a halt.

I would hope that Western mine detection was well up to the task?

If Iran shut the straits it would amount to giving the US the green light to invade.

Is Iran really that stupid?

My thoughts are that you might be asking a lot plus the opposition can always deploy more mines after each sweep.

Bottom line might be that Iran needs to export oil to survive and needs to import fuel to make the wheels go round. An embargo for the goose must surely apply for the gander! (As long as it is enforced better than Beira!)
America INVADE Iran????

Shouldn't that be is America that stupid?

No doubt they could rapidly gain both air and sea superiority but INVADE????

It may be a green light, but there is no will in the Whitehouse to get involved in another "boots on the ground" operation. That nice Mr Obama is very keen to be seen to be extracting the US from all that overseas interventionism so that he can portray himself as a dove, bringing Johnny home and saving the billions having them away costs. Elections are coming. Five years ago, maybe. Today, I think it's highly unlikely.

I have every faith in Uncle Sam's "Green Machine" to take on such a task effortlessly and with heartily good humour!:cool:

FB:)

The pipeline from Abu Dhabi to the coast is complete, not yet operational.