Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Oil is a tool for Iran, an analysis says

|
|
 
  
Published: Dec. 4, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Advertisement

TEHRAN, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A U.S. intelligence review said Tehran could use oil as a diplomatic weapon by closing down the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media boasts.

State broadcaster Press TV refers to a report by the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence that states Tehran could benefit diplomatically by shutting down oil shipping lanes in the narrow strait dividing the Persian Gulf from the Gulf of Oman.

"Given the importance of the strait, disrupting traffic flow or even threatening to do so may be an effective tool for Iran," the broadcaster quoted the ONI report.

Press TV references a review by Mark Fitzpatrick, a chief proliferation analyst with the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, who warned Tehran could take action in the Strait of Hormuz as Israel prepares for an attack in response for its nuclear activity.

Iranian naval commander Rear Adm. Haibollah Sayyari said in September that the country's naval forces had "a duty to block routes used by the enemy, should the necessity arise."

Topics: Strait of Hormuz
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Notable deaths of 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee AmfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala
Indianapolis 500 Presidential Medal of Freedom Memorial Day around the nation
Additional Energy Resources Stories
1 of 32
Marilyn Monroe Cupcake Portrait at Madame Tussauds in New York
View Caption
A one-of-a-kind 8 x 4 foot portrait of Marilyn Monroe made from 2,100 bite sized stuffed cupcakes stands in the lobby next to her wax figure on the eve of Marilyn Monroe's 86th birthday at Madame Tussauds in New York City on May 31, 2012. UPI/John Angelillo
fark
John Edwards is guilty of being a douchebag. And banging ugly mistresses. And having great hair....
Photoshop these Earthenware pots
On the Department of Homeland Security's website and want to report fraud, waste, or abuse? Excellent,...
European Union realizes nobody speaks French anymore besides the French, issues reports in a more...
Police in upstate NY clock motorcyclist doing 193 in the pouring rain. Apparently even Darwin was...
Maybe it's time we ate more goat meat