Iran warns of oil crisis in event of war
Sunday, 29 Jun 2008 10:39
An Iranian speedboat patrols the Straits of Hormuz
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From our special correspondent
The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned Tehran could close the strategic Straits of Hormuz and trigger an international oil crisis in the event of war.
Maj Gen Mohammad Ali Jafari told local media: "Naturally, any country under attack uses all its ability to confront the enemy."
About 20 per cent of the world's oil supply passes through the strategic waterway between Iran to the north and Oman to the south. At about 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, it has been the scene of several standoffs between the US navy and IRGC marine units in recent months.
Maj Gen Jafari said if there is a confrontation, imposing controls on the waterway would be within the scope of Tehran's response.
All traffic through Hormuz passes through the territorial waters of Iran and Oman under a transit passage agreement ratified by the United Nations, of which Tehran is a signatory.