US holds Navy exercise after Iran comments on Gulf

Reuters
Monday, July 7, 2008

The U.S. Navy said on Monday it was carrying out an exercise in the Gulf, days after vowing that Iran will not be allowed to block the waterway which carries crude from the world’s largest oil-exporting region.

“The aim of Exercise Stake Net is to practise the tactics and procedures of protecting maritime infrastructure such as gas and oil installations,” Commodore Peter Hudson said in a U.S. Fifth Fleet statement.

The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in remarks published late last month that Tehran would impose controls on shipping in the Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz if it was attacked.

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Speculation about a possible attack on Iran because of its nuclear programme has risen since a report last month said Israel had practised such a strike.

Vice-Admiral Kevin Cosgriff, the commander of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, said last week the United States would not allow Iran to block the Gulf.

Fear of an escalation in the standoff between the West and Iran, the world’s fourth largest oil producer, has helped propel oil prices over $140 a barrel.

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4 Responses to “US holds Navy exercise after Iran comments on Gulf”

1. Ernest Says:
   July 7th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

   When has Iran EVER said they would block the Strait of Hormuz unprovoked?

   So, the US comment “vowing that Iran will not be allowed to block the waterway” only is relevant if the US plans on starting an illegal and unprovoked war against Iran. However, given their track record, it is very possible.

   The US can not expect to be able to threaten a nation for several years and NOT have that nation say they will defend themselves.

2. Robert Says:
   July 8th, 2008 at 5:23 am

   If Iran is attacked they might sink some oil tankers with some missiles. This would not close the Strait but make it very dangerous. The U.S. Navy could not protect every tanker from every missile.

   This would cause oil prices to crush the U.S. economy. Many people would lose their jobs. Ordinary Americans would suffer the most, again! And all of this for what? Who benefits? Exxon/Mobil, Israel, and the military/industrial complex.

   Is the life of your son or daughter worth this much?

3. cc Says:
   July 8th, 2008 at 6:25 am

   Extremely MISLEADINF TITLE ‘US holds Navy exercise after Iran comments on Gulf’. It would appear that the Navy is preparing to defend itself, WHEREAS IN FACT, our military have been trying to provoke Iran for months and months. WE ARE IN THEIR TERRITORIAL WATERS ! We have threatened them.

4. Bubreika Says:
   February 10th, 2009 at 10:21 am

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