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US to respond if Iran blocks oil
20:50 - 08.01.12
The United States will respond if Iran tries to close the strategic
Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf, the US Defense Secretary
has warned.
According to 9NEWS, Leon Panetta warned that such a move would cross a
"red line".
"We made very clear that the United States will not tolerate the
blocking of the Strait of Hormuz," Panetta was quoted as telling CBS
television on Sunday. "That's another red line for us and that we will
respond to them."
Panetta was reportedly seconded by General Martin Dempsey, the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said Iran has the means to
close the waterway, through which 20 per cent of the world's oil
passes.
"But we would take action and reopen the straits," the general said on
the same show, Face the Nation.
Their comments follow Iranian threats to close the strait if the
European Union goes through with an embargo on Iranian oil, the latest
step to pressure Tehran to give up a nuclear program that the West
suspects is aimed at gaining atomic weapons.
Tert.am
20:50 - 08.01.12
The United States will respond if Iran tries to close the strategic
Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf, the US Defense Secretary
has warned.
According to 9NEWS, Leon Panetta warned that such a move would cross a
"red line".
"We made very clear that the United States will not tolerate the
blocking of the Strait of Hormuz," Panetta was quoted as telling CBS
television on Sunday. "That's another red line for us and that we will
respond to them."
Panetta was reportedly seconded by General Martin Dempsey, the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said Iran has the means to
close the waterway, through which 20 per cent of the world's oil
passes.
"But we would take action and reopen the straits," the general said on
the same show, Face the Nation.
Their comments follow Iranian threats to close the strait if the
European Union goes through with an embargo on Iranian oil, the latest
step to pressure Tehran to give up a nuclear program that the West
suspects is aimed at gaining atomic weapons.
Tert.am