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| Strait Of Hormuz |
After the Iranian threat with a blockade of oil shipments in the Strait of Hormuz at the expansion of the sanctions the U.S. has intensified the tone of surprise. The U.S. Navy says even ostentatiously, she had a "robust presence" in the region.
The U.S. State Department's statements from Tehran had initially dismissed as a red herring, the U.S. Navy on Wednesday directed an unmistakable warning to Iran. "Anyone who is threatening the freedom of navigation in an international strait or disabled, are clearly outside the community. Such a disability is not tolerated, "said the spokeswoman of the Gulf kingdom of Bahrain stationed U.S. Fifth Fleet, Rebecca Rebarich with.
Through the narrow waterway of Hormuz, the majority of oil is exported from the Middle East expert. Experts fear a blockade at a massive price increase in crude oil prices - with incalculable consequences for the world economy. "The free movement of goods and services through the Strait of Hormuz is vital for the prosperity of the region and the world," Rebarich said.
"Robust presence" of the USA
The Fifth U.S. fleet is committed "to protecting maritime freedoms that are the basis of global prosperity. This is one of the main reasons that our armed forces are operating in this region, "said Lieutenant Rebarich. The U.S. Navy entertain "a robust presence in the region to prevent and counteract destabilizing activities". At the weekend Iranian armed forces had begun a large-scale maneuvers in the sea area.
The military statement contradicts the first statements from Washington: How the State Department had initially played down Iran's threat. The announcement to block the expansion of international sanctions on oil shipments were "just another attempt to distract the attention from the real issues", said on Tuesday (local time), a spokesman for the U.S. State Department in Washington.
Come of Iran's international obligations with regard to its nuclear program is not continued after threatened new sanctions, said spokesman Mark Toner. Add to Tehran, however, could be followed by a closer cooperation with the West. That was the dual strategy that Washington continues to pursue.
"Not a drop of oil through the Strait of Hormuz"
Different signals but also from Iran: Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza had Rahimi said, not a drop more oil would be left by the street of Hormuz if the West to impose sanctions on Iranian oil. Then rowed back but Tehran. A blockade in the Persian Gulf was a breeze though, to give the time but no need, said the commander of the Iranian Navy, Habibulah Sajari.
Rahimi is indeed the first deputy of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. His views do not necessarily reflect the official position of Tehran again, because he is primarily responsible for internal affairs.
Iran has in the past repeatedly threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, but this never translated into action. Such a blockade would strain relations with Iran's oil-exporting Persian Gulf sheikdoms.
The West suspects Iran's government, working under the guise of a civilian nuclear program to secretly build nuclear weapons on. Israel and the U.S. have therefore also strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities is not excluded.
The International Atomic Energy Agency in its latest report had documented evidence of such a military nuclear program. Subsequently, the United States and European Union sanctions against Iran had already been tightened. The EU also plans to further punitive measures. For some time, an oil import ban is being discussed.
