Iran Threatens U.S. About Sanctions on Oil

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “Iran Threatens to Choke Route of Oil Shipments,” discusses the rising tension between the United States and Iran as additional sanctions are considered in light of Iran’s continuing attempts to create a nuclear weapon.

Iran’s response, a threat to cut off all oil moving through the strait of Hormuz (through which 20 percent of the world’s oil flows), is strengthened by the current naval exercises the country is holding in the region. The United States immediately countered that it had a plan to keep the strait open, if necessary.

The sanction that seems to have Iran most concerned involves a provision to stop dealing with nations who use Iran’s central bank, an institution through which must of the money flows from Iran’s export of oil.

This threat could constitute one of President Obama’s rare crises, if it is carried out. Most of his other challenges this term have involved the economy or distant matters concerning the Arab Spring.

If Iran blocks the strait of Hormuz, it would create a crisis on a par with the Cuban missile crisis faced by Kennedy. Of course, no one wants this to occur if there is any way to prevent it in accordance with our national security needs.