Oil a weapon in nuke standoff: Iran

ZeeNews (India) ^ | 20JUN07 | ZeeNews

[familyop]

Tehran, June 20: Iran Tuesday refused to rule out using oil supplies as a weapon in the standoff over its nuclear programme, saying Washington had never excluded attacking the Islamic republic.

When the Americans say that using the military option against Iran regarding its nuclear issue is not off the table then Iran can say that it will not put aside the instrument of oil," Iran`s representative to OPEC, Hossein Kazempour Ardebili, said in an interview with the Shargh newspaper.

Asked where Iran`s -red line" on using oil as a weapon lay, he replied: -The red line lies where the Americans fail to say that using military means against Iran is illegal."

We will not be the first to use our instrument but if the others do not put aside their pressure instruments in the negotiations, then it is natural both sides talk about their instruments," he added.

Talking about instruments does not mean that they will be used, it is a deterrent," said Kazempour Ardebili. Iran`s refusal to rule out using oil as a weapon has frequently rattled oil markets, which fear that any squeeze in supplies from OPEC`s number two producer could cause a huge jump in prices.

There have also been fears that Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for the transport of oil.

The US has never ruled out the use of force against Tehran over its nuclear programme although Washington insists it wants the issue resolved through diplomacy. Washington accuses Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons. Iran vehemently denies the charges, saying it only wants to generate energy.

Ardebili predicted that the price of oil would rise to -at least" USD 100 per barrel if Iran moved to cut its supply of 2.5 million barrels per day from the market.

Bureau Report

[familyop]

Iran unable to block Hormuz
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1621693/posts

But Iran does refine over 60 percent of its oil now. How much more...I don't know, yet.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

"When the Americans say that using the military option against Iran regarding its nuclear issue is not off the table then Iran can say that it will not put aside the instrument of oil," Iran`s representative to OPEC, Hossein Kazempour Ardebili, said in an interview with the Shargh newspaper."

We don't think like that.

We think it would be a shame if you lost your nuke program AND your ability to refine oil.

[nyyankeefan]

take out their one refinery & block the straight of hormuz

...let them drown in the oil!!!!

[capitalist229]

When the 12th Imam fails to appear to save Iran, we will have exposed their moon cult.

Losing face in the Muslim world would be GAME OVER FOR IRAN.

BUMP

[familyop]

"take out their one refinery & block the straight of hormuz"

Most of the Iranian oil goes through Kharg Island. That geographical, social note should be useful to someone. It would be just awful, if something happened to that route--even for a few weeks. Why...all kinds of stuff would break loose.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

"Most of the Iranian oil goes through Kharg Island."

Khark Island is a right nice little setup. Lots of storage, nice offshore deep water loading station and a runway.

[familyop]

Yeah, it would be just terrible, if Israel were to do something about that area. Why...everyone would become involved in physically securing Iran after that.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

"Yeah, it would be just terrible, if Israel were to do something about that area. Why...everyone would become involved in physically securing Iran after that."

;-)

[tdscpa]

Fine. If they want to use their oil as a weapon, if we can whup them, we take their oil.

[taildragger]

Yes,

Imagine if Israel deemed it a Territory and renamed it something with an appropriate Biblical reference in Hebrew, just to make them stew in it.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

And perhaps even occupied it.

[taildragger]

WBee,

Oh that was a given! Just to TWEAK them......

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

;)

[thackney]

-—take out their one refinery-—

Iran has several refineries

Abadan (400,000-bbl/d capacity)
Isfahan (265,000 bbl/d)
Bandar Abbas (232,000 bbl/d)
Tehran (225,000 bbl/d)
Arak (150,000 bbl/d)
Tabriz (112,000 bbl/d)

Refineries are also in Kermanshah, Shiraz and Lavan Island .

EIA, Country Analysis Briefs, Iran, Oil
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Iran/Oil.html

National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company
http://www.nioc.org/subCompanies/niordc/index.asp

[M. Espinola]

We need to recall that the current Iranian Islamic 'Revolutionary Guard mentality' of Ahmadinejad & his fellow terrorists controlling the jihad exporting Tehran régime are firm believers in the anti-Western 'Doctrine of Mahdism'.

The version of Mahdism the Ahmadinejad dictatorship's buys into ideological and political philosophy version of Shi'ite 'Mahadism' mandates that their 'Expected One' can only reappear, once his devoted followers create the required global situation concerning the world of the 'infidels'.

In a December 2006 speech in Kermanshah, Iran, Islamic tyrant Ahmadinejad wished the Christians of the world a merry Christmas and said: “I hereby announce that, with God’s help, the day is not far off when Jesus will return at the side of the Hidden Imam." clearly indicating Ahmadinejad & his jihadic associates firmly believe they have sworn duty to facilitate Mr. Mahdi second act.

As far as Ahmadinejad is concerned the (Shi'ite) Mahdi will not return to 'bring justice to the world' until Ahmadinejad creates the appropriate global atmosphere paving the way for the 'Expected One's return'.

Since Ahmadinejad's fanatical Muslim 'end of days' ideological, plus, the alarming, evident Nazi-like political philosophy, mandating Israel, as the Jewish nation, must be exterminated first, so Iran & their cohorts (Syria, Hezballah & Hamas) can control Jerusalem.

Iran's bankrolled & weapons supplied terrorist proxies Hezballah (Lebanon) and Hamas (Gaza) in conjuintion with Syria (the Golan) believe they have Israel surrounded (in the same way we have Iran surrounded).

The Iranians want the downfall of the American led international financial system and they feel this is possible by way of a sudden market meltdown, based on the tangible fear, worldwide petroleum supplies would be severely disrupted from exiting the Persian Gulf (including Iran's). The economic weapon is Iran's vast reserves of 'The Blood of Allah) coupled with Tehran's nuclear 'weapons' drive greatly assisted by Moscow.

Russia Sees No Threat From Iran's Ballistic Missiles

Iran, Russia stances on Caspian Sea converging: official

Crude Oil Falls From Near Nine-Month High, Trades Below $68.90

From the average current price of crude oil think if the prices doubled, tripled or worse ..

Images & data of Kharg Island and the general Persian Gulf region.

Source & interesting linked story

From NASA’s Earth Observatory site:

Kharg Island is Iran’s primary oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf. This rocky limestone island is unique because it is one of the few islands in the Persian Gulf with freshwater which has collected within the porous limestone. In addition to its commercial and strategic importance, the freshwater has biological importance, supporting populations of gazelles. This high-resolution photograph shows detail of the tanker dock facilities, tanks and other infrastructure. Sunlight on the surface of the water highlights small amounts of oil on the sea surface and reveals the direction of the local currents.

From this facility on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, Iran’s oil is exported to countries around the world. Linked to mainland oilfields by pipelines, the terminal has an export capacity of about 5 million barrels per day. More than three-fourths of Iran’s export revenues come from foreign sales of oil. (Emory Kristof/National Geographic Image Collection.)

Iran lists 21 oil companies for privatization

[M. Espinola]

Moscow is setting the stage for another Oct-1973.

Report: Russia delivering jets to Syria