Iran And The U.S. Trade Warnings Over U.S. Efforts To Block Iranian Oil Exports

An Iranian Navy drill off the Strait of Hormuz

RFE: Iran, Pentagon Trade Warnings Over U.S. Effort To Block Iranian Oil Exports

The United States and Iran have traded warnings over U.S. efforts to block Iran's oil exports, with Tehran suggesting that it could retaliate by blocking oil tankers from leaving the Persian Gulf.

The exchange began on July 4 when Iranian President Hassan Rohani, while visiting with Austria's leader in Vienna, hinted that Tehran will block shipments of oil from neighboring Persian Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq in response to the U.S. sanctions plan.

"The Americans say they want to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero.... It shows they have not thought about its consequences," Rohani said.

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WNU Editor: If Iran starts blocking oil tankers from leaving the Persian Gulf the following will happen. Oil will spike over $100 (and more). The US Navy will rush 2 to 3 carrier strike groups to the Gulf followed by a massive buildup of jets and bombers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The US Navy will confront Iranian vessels if they try to stop tankers leaving, and if Iranian missiles start striking tankers there will be a massive military response. Iran will lose its diplomatic allies. For countries like China, India, etc. that are dependent on stable oil supplies and prices .... they will condemn Iran and their oil blockade. Iranian backed militias will be under the gun in Syria, and I shudder to think what may happen in Iraq. As for Afghanistan .... the Taliban may now find itself with a new ally more eager to support them in their war against the Afghan government and their Western allies. I could go on .... but I think everyone has an idea on where an Iranian enforced oil blockade may lead to.