Image Source: Army Recognition

BY ALYSSA CARTEE

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

Facing tough oil sanctions, an Iranian military commander warns the US Navy to stay out of the Persian Gulf.  According to the Associated Press, Iran’s army chief said-

“We recommend to the American warship that passed through the Strait of Hormuz and went to Gulf of Oman not to return to the Persian Gulf. We have no plan to begin any irrational act but we are ready against any threat."

The threat comes after Iran’s ten day military test fire of long range missiles.  So what are Iran’s intentions?  A correspondent with KRIV in Houston thinks it’s just a show of power.

“I think that it's mostly posturing. They've had this capability. We've known they've had this capability. A lot of it is internal politics for them. They have to come out strongly against this and talk about what they can do. When these sanctions take place, it not only impacts Iran as a nation, but it actually impacts in a greater way individuals in Iran.”

But a retired military general disagrees.

“Iran’s intentions are very very clear. They are a regional power and they are extending their capabilities. And their increased capability clearly is directed against Israel and their ability to try to shut down the Straits of Hormuz through which most of the world’s oil supply passes.”

Euronews reports Iranians are also split on the military’s threats.

“The youth of Iran will not allow oppressors to violate the borders of our country.”
“Iranians don’t like war. We’ve already had eight years of war against Iraq and we can’t withstand another one.”

The military power play comes in direct response to proposed oil sanctions on the country.  The Maritime Executive explains-

“If fully imposed, the new U.S. sanctions would make it impossible for refineries to pay Iran for crude. … French President, Nicholas Sarkozy, has expressed his desire to impose tougher sanctions with two proposals – one to freeze the Iranian central bank assets, and the other to embargo Iranian oil exports.”

All of these military tensions between Iran and the West have already affected oil prices.

“And that is helping to surge oil prices here about $3 or so with Nymex crude about $101 a barrel. On top of that, we have tougher sanctions being called on by France against Iran, and all of this is causing Brent crude and Nymex crude prices to reach the highest levels we've seen since the middle of December.”

The Iranian military did not specify what kind of action they would take if the US naval carrier returned to the Gulf, but did say they will not repeat the warning.  The US military brushed off the warning saying there has been a US presence in the Gulf for four decades.