Tehran, January 11: The US Defense Department Spokesman says the US military has detected no signs of Iran preparing to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz despite tough rhetoric from Tehran.
“We would have some knowledge of an intent to actively impede maritime traffic to the Strait of Hormuz. We don’t see any active steps being taken by the Iranians to close the strait,” George Little was quoted by AFP as saying on Tuesday.
Pointing to Iran’s recent threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz if oil sanctions are imposed on Tehran, the official called for lowering the tensions in the Persian Gulf region.
“We really do want to ratchet down the tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. This is an important waterway for the region and for Iran itself,” Little said.
On Saturday, December 31, 2011, US President Barack Obama signed into law fresh economic sanctions against Iran’s Central Bank requiring foreign financial firms to make a choice between doing business with Iran’s Central Bank and oil sector or with the US financial sector.
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi warned on December 27 that the imposition of oil sanctions against the Islamic Republic will prompt Tehran to prevent oil cargoes from passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
“If they impose sanctions on Iran’s oil, not even a drop of oil will be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
His remarks were echoed by Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari on December 28, who emphasized that the country’s naval forces can readily block the strategic Strait of Hormuz if need be.
Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey also conceded on January 8 that Iran enjoys the wherewithal to close down the Strait of Hormuz if the occasion necessitates.
“They’ve invested in capabilities that could, in fact, for a period of time block the Strait of Hormuz,” he added.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow shipping channel that leads in and out of the Persian Gulf between Iran and Oman.
Statistic wise, the strait is one of the world’s most important waterways, with a daily flow of about 15 million barrels of oil. That is 90 percent of Persian Gulf exports and 40 percent of global consumption.
——Agencies