U.S. Warns Iran Against Closing Strait of Hormuz

(Newsroom America) -- The United States has warned Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz, passageway for nearly one-third of the world's oil, following two days of warnings by Tehran its forces may close the strategic waterway if the West imposes an oil embargo.

"This is not just an important issue for security and stability in the region, but is an economic lifeline for countries in the Gulf, to include Iran," said George Little, the Pentagon's spokesman. "Interference with the transit or passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz will not be tolerated."

U.S. Navy Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, the spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based U.S. Fifth Fleet, said any disruption "will not be tolerated," and that the Navy is "always ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation."

Rebarich would not say whether the U.S. military had made adjustments to its force or capabilities, but said the Navy "maintains a robust presence in the region to deter or counter destabilizing activities, while safeguarding the region's vital links to the international community."

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Adds further comments from U.S. military personnel. Newsroom America's earlier story is below.

(Newsroom America) -- The United States has warned Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz, passageway for nearly one-sixth of the world's oil, following two days of warnings by Tehran its forces may close the strategic waterway if the West imposes an oil embargo.

U.S. Navy Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, the spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based U.S. Fifth Fleet, said any disruption "will not be tolerated," and that the Navy is "always ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation."

On Tuesday, Vice President Mohamed Reza Rahimi threatened to close the Strait and cut off all oil exports from the region. His bellicose warning followed one by Iran's navy chief, Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, on Monday, in comments to state-run television.

"Closing the Strait of Hormuz is very easy for Iranian naval forces," Sayyari said. "Iran has comprehensive control over the strategic waterway."

Initially oil prices rose on Iran's combative rhetoric, but later dropped off after Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations promised to make up for any oil lost in an Iranian embargo.

A number of analysts have noted that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for Iran to actually close the strategic waterway. If Tehran attempted to do so, it would likely employ its limited number of submarines, minelayers and surface-to-sea missiles, as well as some aircraft.

Some 12-15 oil tankers pass through the Strait daily.

© 2011 Newsroom America.

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