6 January 2012, 18:19
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan...-us-israel
Surge in military activity in the region comes amid threat of EU embargo on Iranian oil and possible closure of strait of Hormuz.
Another flashpoint could come in June, when US sanctions on the trade in Iranian oil come into effect.
"The main reason why Iran's putative threat to close the strait of Hormuz was dismissed is because Iran also relies on the strait to export its own oil," "But if Iran's oil revenue – 50% of its budget – is cut off, they would have little to lose by striking out at those they hold responsible, including passage through the strait of Hormuz.
"Iran cannot defeat the US navy, but the swarms of cruise missiles they could fire, both from shore and from their fleet of speedboats, could create havoc, as could the flood of mines they could put into the fast-moving waters of the strait."
Surge in military activity in the region comes amid threat of EU embargo on Iranian oil and possible closure of strait of Hormuz.
Another flashpoint could come in June, when US sanctions on the trade in Iranian oil come into effect.
"The main reason why Iran's putative threat to close the strait of Hormuz was dismissed is because Iran also relies on the strait to export its own oil," "But if Iran's oil revenue – 50% of its budget – is cut off, they would have little to lose by striking out at those they hold responsible, including passage through the strait of Hormuz.
"Iran cannot defeat the US navy, but the swarms of cruise missiles they could fire, both from shore and from their fleet of speedboats, could create havoc, as could the flood of mines they could put into the fast-moving waters of the strait."