Iran warns of Gulf blitzkrieg, Hormuz closure
3 hours ago

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran's military chiefs warned on Saturday that the Islamic republic would shut down the Strait of Hormuz vital for oil exports and use "blitzkrieg tactics" in the Gulf if it came under attack.

"All the countries should know that if Iran's interests in the region are ignored, it is natural that we will not allow others to use it (the strait)," said army chief General Hassan Firouzabadi, quoted by the Fars news agency.

However, Iran's armed forces joint chief of staff stressed his country's priority was that the Strait of Hormuz remain open.

Speculation has been rife that Israel could be planning a military strike against Iranian nuclear sites, using force to halt Tehran's controversial atomic activities.

The chief of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards militia, General Mohammad Ali Jafari, meanwhile, warned that his forces would use "blitzkrieg tactics" in the Gulf if his country came under attack.

"The Guards are equipped with the most advanced missiles that can strike the enemies' vessels and naval equipment with fatal blows," Fars quoted the Guards chief as saying.

In case of attack, "blitzkrieg tactics and operations of the Guards' boats will not leave a chance for the enemies to run away."

"These words do not mean that the prerequisites of war are being set but these are the strategies that our alert armed forces have prepared for any hypothesis," he added.

The new commander of the US Fifth Fleet, Vice Admiral William Gortney, said on Saturday that the American naval presence in the region was "a very clear message that we are here to maintain security and to provide stability."

"The chief of naval operations wanted me here, I think, because of my experience," Gortney, who was navy chief during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, told reporters in Bahrain where the fleet is based.

His predecessor, Vice Admiral Kevin J. Cosgriff, has warned that Fifth Fleet would not allow Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz.

The strait between Iran and Oman is a vital conduit for energy supplies, with as much as 40 percent of the world's crude passing through the strategic waterway.

US President George W. Bush has not ruled out using force in the nuclear standoff between Iran and the West, but emphasised that he preferred a diplomatic solution.

Iran insists its atomic drive is peaceful, but Western powers fear Tehran is using the programme to develop nuclear weapons.

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Iran nuclear position 'unchanged'

Iranian nuclear facility at Isfahan (file photo)

Iran insists that is nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

Iran says its stance on its nuclear programme remains unchanged, despite an EU offer of incentives to suspend uranium enrichment.

A government spokesman said the country was prepared to negotiate with major world powers, but insisted the talks must address Iran's nuclear rights.

He was speaking a day after Iran formally responded to the EU offer.

Correspondents say the latest statement suggests Iran is not ready to slow down its nuclear activities.

The exact content of both the EU proposal and the Iranian response have not yet been made public.

In the first official comments since Iran submitted its response to the EU, spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said that Iran "will not go back on its rights on the nuclear issue".

"Iran's stand regarding its peaceful nuclear program has not changed. Iran insists on negotiations while respecting its rights and avoiding any loss of international rights," he said.

The BBC's John Leyne in Tehran said it is difficult to see how any talks will last if Iran is unwilling to compromise on its nuclear programme.

Incentives


Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (file photo)

Stark choice in Iran policy battles

The incentives package from China, the EU, France, Russia, the UK and US was offered to Iran by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in June.

Mr Solana also asked Iran to accept a six-week freeze on further developments on its controversial programme, in return for a similar freeze on new UN sanctions.

Separately, the EU also imposed new sanctions on Iran in June.

The incentives package builds on a previous offer of 2006 and says that if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, then talks can start about a long-term agreement.

On offer is recognition of Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the treatment of Iran in "the same manner" as other states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Iran would get help with developing nuclear power stations and be guaranteed fuel for them.

It would also be offered trade concessions, including the possible lifting of US sanctions preventing it from buying new civilian aircraft and parts.

Tehran has consistently denied Western claims that it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon, saying its programme is peaceful.

It has repeatedly rejected demands to halt enriching uranium, which can be used as fuel for power plants or material for weapons if refined to a greater degree.

Our correspondent says it may be significant that the latest tough comments came from an official close to President Ahmadinejad.

Some officials have hinted that a compromise could be possible, but the president has repeatedly restated his commitment to the nuclear programme.

Hillarious bullshiite from the clown brigade.

Never, no matter what happened would they shut down the straight or even come within miles of any international ship.

"How to have your entire navy sent to the bottom in 30 minutes for Dummies", Lesson 1 of 1

lf

Shut up you stupid cc la whore. Iranian navy is powered by Russian and Chinese technology, if you think that it'll be that easy to sink their whole fleet you are even more retarded then previously imagined..

nothing but really bad saber rattling and Iran's saber is made of tinfoil

Bring in the Clowns Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!

rattlerattle ... run like hell .... YAP YAP ... run like hell

did someone say "bring in the clowns"? Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!

signed: "tinfoil saber" is right, lmao