Iran drafts bill to block Hormuz to Gulf oil tankers a hollow threat?

The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf beyond it, as seen from the International Space Station in 2003. Iran is to the right.

Iran drafts bill to block Hormuz for Gulf oil traffic: "There is a bill prepared in the National Security and Foreign Policy committee of Parliament that stresses the blocking of oil tanker traffic carrying oil to countries that have sanctioned Iran," Iranian MP Ibrahim Agha-Mohammadi was quoted by Iran's parliamentary news agency as saying. "This bill has been developed as an answer to the European Union's oil sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Iranian threats to block the waterway through which about 17 million barrels a day sailed in 2011 have grown in the past year as U.S. and European sanctions aimed at starving Tehran of funds for its nuclear program have tightened. A heavy western naval presence in the Gulf and surrounding area is a big impediment to any attempt to block the vital shipping route through which sails most of the crude exported from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq and nearly all the gas exported from Qatar.

U.S. Adds Forces in Persian Gulf, a Signal to Iran

Iran's hollow strait of Hormuz threat: Be careful what you ask for you may get it
Tehran's hollow Hormuz strait threat: The Islamic Republic’s goal may still be more financial than military. Iran’s economy is teetering. Iran’s currency has lost a third of its value against the dollar. Unemployment and inflation are both in the double digits. To keep afloat, Iran needs high oil prices. Should the price of oil fall below $80 per barrel, even the brutal Revolutionary Guards may not be able to maintain domestic stability for long. They know that by simply threatening tanker traffic, they can drive up the price of oil, adding hundreds of millions of dollars to their coffers.  First I must say by now we are all use to middle eastern nation's threatening their perceived enemy with burning hell on earth whether they can bring it or not. Saddam Hussein did it with WMD to keep Iran at bay. Iran right now is doing it to the west to keep us and increased sanctions at bay. It will not work and we are already prepared for them. Any military action will be to Iran's demise and she knows it. Iran makes 80% of her revenue from the gulf and the strait of Hormuz.  First Iran can not shut down the Strait and any attempt would shut down Iran. In an undated photo supplied by Lockheed Martin, an Aegis-equipped destroyer launches a missile, using hit-to-kill technology to intercept and destroy short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. The US Navy recently performed its first test of its new HEL system, destroying a small boat in a matter of moments. We've got the video above.  The Navy has begun field testing early versions of its high-energy laser (HEL). This concept of fighting with rail guns that fire non explosive projectiles at supersonic speeds to put holes in ships 100 miles away and destroy their munitions at the same time and firing lasers to destroy the engines of small boats to disable them is at first glance a concept strange and hard to comprehend in an environment of today's high tech weapons. However make no mistake, these weapons are very high tech, still under design, and geared towards an enemy and location we will be facing in the future.  It is no coincidence that these weapons were tested at the same time the military tested its most challenging test yet of its ballistic missile defense system, blasting an incoming target out of the skies over the Pacific Ocean. The US started outfitting all military vessels in the Gulf early last year Plus our middle east allies have been prepared: Weapons Sales to Iraq Move Ahead Despite US Worries: The Obama administration is moving ahead with the sale of nearly $11 billion worth of arms and training for the Iraqi military despite concerns that Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki is seeking to consolidate authority, create a one-party Shiite-dominated state and abandon the American-backed power-sharing government.  The military aid, including advanced fighter jets and battle tanks meant to help the Iraqi government protect its borders and rebuild a military that before the 1991 Persian Gulf war was one of the largest in the world; it was disbanded in 2003 after the United States invasion.   US Seals $3.48B Missiles, Technology Sale To UAE: The U.S. and U.A.E. have a strong defense relationship and are both interested in “a secure and stable” Persian Gulf region.The deal includes 96 missiles, along with supporting technology and training support that Little says will bolster the nation’s missile defense capacity.The deal includes a contract with Lockheed Martin to produce the highly sophisticated Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, weapon system for the U.A.E. US to sell F-15s to Saudi Arabia:  The Obama administration is poised to announce the sale of nearly US$30 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, U.S. officials said. The deal will send 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more, for a total of US$29.4 billion, according to the officials Wednesday, who requested anonymity because the sale has not been made public.The agreement boosts the military strength of Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, at a time when the Obama administration is looking to counter Iranian threats in the region. Don't forget the billions in advanced weaponry given to Israel as a "counter balance" Also the 70 Billion in advanced arms give to our so called middle east allies to defend against Iran. It is only a matter of time before we at the very least have a "confrontation" with Iran. I always figured it would come from the Gulf as Gates said the navy as of yet is not over extended. their primary navy weapon seems for now to be those high powered boats. We seem to be building a defense and offense capable of handling a confrontation with Iran and the IRG. I find that troubling but it is worsened because we are getting ourselves into a war with our 3rd Muslim Nation we do not need this but we are prepared. Iran be careful what you ask for because you "will" get it.  James Joiner  Gardner, Ma http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com