By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Iran is threatening to close the Straits of Hormuz if more sanctions are levied on them by the West. The Straits are a narrow water way through which about 30% of the world's oil travels on any given day.
Iran's first Vice President Mohammad Raza Rahimi was quoted in IRNA yesterday saying "If they (the West) imposes sanctions on Iran's oil exports, then even one drop of oil cannot flow from the Strait of Hormuz."
Much of the Straits are in the territorial water of Iran. Until now Iran has permitted the international community to use the Straits as if they were international waters - but that is only by their grace. That fact seems to have eluded the United States and most other Western countries in their bid to apply sanctions against Iran.
It is in the vital interests of the United States to keep those Straits open. But at any time the Iranians can legally shut the Straits down. Iran will probably make this argument in advance in order to totally disarm any potential attack against them.
In addition the Iranians have just announced that they will seek the death penalty for an America caught and being tried as a spy.
Bundling these issues demonstrates how Iran is planning to utilize
pressure to achieve their diplomatic goals. Once again, the Iranians are very good at what they do.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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