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Hamed Jafarnejad / Fars News via Reuters
An Iranian soldier participates in the Velayat-90 war game on Sea of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran on Dec. 28, 2011.
Foreign media are subject to severe restriction on their ability to make and distribute news pictures in Iran. So, when images like this move right after Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz you know that the Tehran is sending a clear message. In fact, Iran’s navy chief Habibollah Sayyari told the country’s English language press on Wednesday that closing the Strait of Hormuz will be easier than drinking a glass of water.
At the same time the U.S. Navy’s 5th fleet warned Iran that any disruption of traffic flowing through the Strait of Hormuz oil route “will not be tolerated.”
About 20% of the world's oil supply transits throught the Strait of Hormuz.
Msnbc.com news services report: Western nations are growing increasingly impatient with Iran over its nuclear program. The U.S. and its allies have accused Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the charges, saying its program is geared toward generating electricity and producing medical radioisotopes to treat cancer patients.
The U.S. Congress has passed a bill banning dealings with the Iran Central Bank, and President Barack Obama has said he will sign it despite his misgivings. Critics warn it could impose hardships on U.S. allies and drive up oil prices.
Iran is the world's fourth-largest oil producer, with an output of about 4 million barrels of oil a day. It relies on oil exports for about 80 percent of its public revenues. Read more...
CNBC's Jackie DeAngelis reports the U.S. Fifth Fleet won't allow disruption of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, then an analyst discusses what Iran stands to gain from halting oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
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No WWIII here, Iran is a good business for industrial Military complex.
Thank heaven the Republicans don't control the white house or else there would be another engineered "attack" on our troops by supposed Iranians much like 9/11/01 and we'd have a good old excuse for a fresh war for a lying GOP leadership to fill the already bulging pockets of the military industrial complex and blackwater billionaires with at the further expense of American jobs.
If Iran produces/sells 20% of the world's oil, then why aren't we supporting those (including us) who have the other 80%?
If Iran really depends on its sale of oil...well, buying elsewhere should certainly show them something...as in, 'Keep it. We'll all go somewhere else.'
However, for us to play into their game we will be sending troupes right back into that area, and no one in this country (save the military honchos) wants any more to do with war or that part of the world.
Let's wake up and move on down the street the the next 'filling station'...one which will appreciate our business.
See analysis on Iran's IRGC Navy and its asymmetric naval war strategy including doctrine, tactics and a map of bases - Global Bearings -
M.Forrest, 20% of the oil does not originate from Iran, it transits through the strait. A large proportion of the 20% originates from countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. This is also not the only only route out, the other countries mentioned also transport oil via pipelines, for instance, Saudi has ports on the Red Sea for transportation of oil and other oil based products via ship. This bypasses the straits.
Not much concern here....nice to see...take a good look Iran , at how much you worry us...