Iran Threatens Saudi Arabia: "The IRGC...Will Take Vengeance" On The Al-Sa'ud Regime;

Iran Threatens Saudi Arabia: "The IRGC...Will Take Vengeance" On The Al-Sa'ud Regime; "Our Responses Will Be... Harsh And Decisive" HT: Memri.

In recent days, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the top echelons of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dispatched threatening messages to Saudi Arabia's rulers in response to the hundreds of Iranians killed in the stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, which claimed the lives of over a thousand Hajj pilgrims.

Khamenei, along with IRGC commanders and ideological camp leaders, were furious at the Saudi royal family, holding it responsible for the disaster and promising a "harsh and decisive" response if Saudi Arabia continued what they called its deliberate anti-Iran conduct.

The daily Kayhan, which is close to Khamenei, even claimed that Saudi authorities had intentionally caused the stampede after it was planned by the Israeli Mossad.

In fact, in the past 18 months, Iran has repeatedly threatened Saudi Arabia and the Al-Sa'ud royal family, as tensions between the two countries escalated against the backdrop of the nuclear negotiations, the Saudi policy of lowering oil prices, and the wars in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq.

Thus, for example, Iran's leadership threatened to "use all means at its disposal against Saudi Arabia," including targeting Saudi oil transports, sparking Shi'ite uprisings in eastern Saudi Arabia, threatening to set oil wells on fire, and more, in order to cause the collapse of the Al-Sa'ud regime." Read the full story here.

Iran oil won’t lead to decrease in oil prices in world markets. - Russian Expert.

Iran oil won’t lead to decrease in oil prices in world markets. - Russian Expert. (Taz).

The lift of sanctions imposed on Iran won’t lead to decrease in oil prices in world markets, Sergey Pikin, director of Russian Energy Development Fund said in an interview with Trend.

Iran will not immediately deliver large volumes of oil to the market, he said, adding that at best, it will be able to increase the oil supply by one million barrels per day throughout a year.

The expert said that it is not such a large volume to have a significant affect on oil prices.

Pikin pointed out that in order to considerably increase the oil production, Iran needs investments worth tens of billions of dollars in oil projects.

“But for the present, Iran is in such a situation that the sanctions can be imposed again and no one will make large volumes of investments,” he added.

Foreign investors will not make serious investments in Iran until it becomes clear that this country fulfills all its obligations, according to the expert.

“If the sanctions imposed on Iran are lifted much later (than planned), this will positively affect the price hike,” said Pikin.

The futures prices for crude Brent oil and WTI oil totaled $52.8 per barrel and $49.47 per barrel, respectively as of Oct.7.

Most analytical agencies do not expect significant growth in oil prices in the short term. Hmmm.....I said it before and say it again, 'Iran will use it's huge stockpile as leverage to gain back their OPEC Share, if OPEC doesn't give in to their demands the will dump all their stocks on the market crashing the OIL market prices.' Nobody wants $20/Barrel prices. Read the full story here.

Confusion continues over Total, Shell gasoline retail sites issue in #Iran: http://t.co/KwmjZhbvEB

— MFS - The Other News (@MFS001) October 8, 2015

Iran determined to reclaim its share in global oil market: Zanganeh.

Iran determined to reclaim its share in global oil market: Zanganeh. (PressTv).

Iran's oil minister says the Islamic Republic is determined to reclaim its share in global oil markets once sanctions imposed on the country’s energy sector are lifted.

“Immediately after lifting sanctions, it’s our right to return to the level of production we historically had,” Bijan Zangeneh said, adding, “We have no other choice.”

The Iranian minister made the remarks in an interview with Bloomberg, which was published on Wednesday, at the Iranian Oil Ministry in Tehran.

Iran lost part of its share in the global oil market after sanctions were imposed on the country by the United States and the European Union at the beginning of 2012, with Western countries claiming that there was diversion in Iran's nuclear program toward military purposes. Iran rejected Western countries’ claims categorically, insisting that its civilian nuclear program was only meant for peaceful purposes.

Iran reached an agreement with the P5+1 group of countries – the US, the UK, France, Germany, China, and Russia – in Vienna on July 14, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). According to JCPOA, sanctions against Iran's economic sectors, including oil and gas industry, will be lifted in return for certain restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Elsewhere in his interview, Zangeneh said Iran plans to produce 3.8-3.9 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil by March 2016.

He noted that the country will raise its output by 500,000 bpd soon after sanctions are lifted and by 1 million bpd within the following five months.

He added that Iran's oil output currently stands at 2.8 million bpd, which is the highest level the country has achieved in three years, and is exporting more than 1 million bpd.

Referring to the drastic oil price fall in global markets, the Iranian oil minister emphasized that the oil price slump will not slow Iran's return to the market.

Oil has dropped by about half in the past year from more than USD 100 a barrel in September 2014 after the 12-member Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided during meetings in December 2014 and June 2015 not to reduce output despite a global crude glut.

In another part of his interview, Zangeneh said most OPEC members would like to see crude prices at $70-$80 a barrel and the organization does not need to coordinate with other oil suppliers to determine output levels.

An oil price at $70-$80 a barrel would be “fair,” he said, adding that OPEC is open to coordinating its action with non-members, although it won’t wait for others to determine or approve its action.
Hmmm.....I said it before and say it again:
1.'Iran will use it's huge stockpile as leverage to gain back their OPEC Share, if OPEC doesn't give in to their demands the will dump all their stocks on the market crashing the OIL market prices.' Nobody wants $20/Barrel prices. 
2.Worst case scenario Iran blocks the strait of Hormuz even if it s for a few weeks the price of oil will sky rocket.

OPEC willing to talk to other oil producers, but vows to protect own interests.

OPEC ready to talk to other oil producers, vows to protect own interests.(Taz).

OPEC stands ready to talk to all other oil producers, but this has to be on a level playing field, the cartel said in its report published on its official website.

“OPEC will protect its own interests. As developing countries, its members, whose economies rely heavily on this one precious resource, can ill afford to do otherwise,” the report said.

OPEC stressed that today’s continuing pressure on oil prices, brought about by higher crude production, coupled with market speculation, remains a cause for concern for OPEC and its members.

“Apart from the obvious loss of much-needed revenue required for member countries’ socio-economic development, there are growing fears that, under the current low-price scenario, investment in future capacity additions will continue to be shelved or cancelled altogether,” OPEC said.

With the long lead times associated with bringing new oil to market, the industry cannot afford a lapse in spending, particularly in view of the long-term expectations for oil demand, which point strongly to a considerable rise in world oil consumption over the next two decades at least, according to the report.

Failure to invest now could mean prices in the coming years spiking to levels inconsistent with what is considered ‘reasonable’ for both producers and consumers, OPEC believes.

“There is no quick fix, but if there is a willingness to face the oil industry’s challenges together, then the prospects for the future have to be a lot better than what everyone involved in the industry has been experiencing over the past nine months or so. Only time will tell,” OPEC stressed.

Global oil market experienced a historic price fall as US oil prices fell below $40 a barrel on Aug. 28 for the first time since the 2009 financial crisis.

OPEC is not due to meet until Dec. 4.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, and other Gulf states pushed OPEC's strategy shift last year to defend market share rather than cut output to support prices. Hmmm.....I said it before and say it again, 'Iran will use it's huge stockpile as leverage to gain back their OPEC Share, if OPEC doesn't give in to their demands the will dump all their stocks on the market crashing the OIL market prices.' Nobody wants $20/Barrel prices.

Obama's BFF Iran says OPEC members in favor of $70/b oil price.

Iran says OPEC members in favor of $70/b oil price. (Taz).

Iranian oil minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said that the price of $70-$80 for each barrel of crude oil is fair, and most OPEC members are in favor of it, Iran’s Mehr news agency reported Aug. 29.

“We should make efforts to increase the oil prices in global markets,” Zanganeh said, meanwhile arguing that "Tehran is not concerned about oil price fall”.

“If we are concerned about this issue, so we should stop oil production, but we will not give up our historic share in the world market at any cost,” the minister stressed.

Zanganeh earlier blamed the latest drop in oil prices on some members of OPEC and questioned whether any OPEC emergency meeting would reach an agreement.

"To balance the oil price... OPEC members should balance their production. An emergency meeting has been requested and we don't have a problem with that," the Iranian minister said.

Global oil market experienced a historic price fall as US oil prices fell below $40 a barrel on Aug. 28 for the first time since the 2009 financial crisis.

OPEC is not due to meet until Dec. 4.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, and other Gulf states pushed OPEC's strategy shift last year to defend market share rather than cut output to support prices.

Hmmm.....I said it before and say it again, 'Iran will use it's huge stockpile as leverage to gain back their OPEC Share, if OPEC doesn't give in to their demands the will dump all their stocks on the market crashing the OIL market prices.' Nobody wants $20/Barrel prices.

Iran says not willing to give up quota in OPEC, share in world market.

Iran says not willing to give up quota in OPEC, share in world market.(Taz).

Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said that Iran will not give up its quota in OPEC and its share in world market.

Speaking on Iranian State TV Aug. 26, Zanganeh said Iran will raise exports even if the oil prices fall.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will by no means ignore its quota in OPEC and the world oil market. We have no problem with slashing of oil prices on the global market because we can double our oil exports,” said Zangeneh, adding, “We should bypass the tyrannical conditions imposed on our country because maintaining Iran quota in OPEC and world market is among our vital parameters.”

“Those should be concerned that have extra income and production in the world markets; On what ground should Iranian government do something to lose its historical share in the oil market just because oil prices should increase,” he said.


Noting that the OPEC members should reconsider current oil production, Zanganeh said to this end, OPEC members have been asked to hold an extraordinary session that will be held if all the 13 members agree to it on consensus. Certain OPEC members do not wish increase in the prices and want to harm other members through low prices as a result of oversupply, he concluded. Hmmm.....I said it before and say it again, 'Iran will use it's huge stockpile as leverage to gain back their OPEC Share, if OPEC doesn't give in to their demands the will dump all their stocks on the market crashing the OIL market prices.' Nobody wants $20/Barrel prices.


Related: 

OPEC to keep "no output cut" policy

OPEC has roughly split into two groups, Pugh said in a report.

“The first group wants to maintain the current output target. This group consists mainly of the wealthier Gulf countries, that is, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. The second group consists of the poorer members of OPEC who want a cut in production, namely Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Algeria, Venezuela, Libya, Angola and Ecuador.”

“The second group outnumber the first by 2-1 and could call an emergency meeting if they wished. (It only needs a simple majority of the 12 members to call an emergency meeting.) But it is largely seen as pointless without the support of Saudi Arabia, by far the group’s largest producer,” Pugh said.
In addition, none of the second group are really in a position to cut their own output, according to the economist.

“Indeed, of the eight countries we put in the second group, both Iran and Iraq are recovering from decades of sanctions and have said they actively plan to pump as much oil as possible, regardless of the price. Libyan output remains disrupted by fighting so barely has any output to cut, and the African and South American members are struggling financially so they need to continue pumping at full blast to maximize revenues,” he said in a report.

“As a result, when these countries call for a cut in the production target, they are really calling for Saudi Arabia and its allies to reduce output,” Pugh said. And he doubts that the first group’s countries are altruistic enough “to cut their production purely to benefit the rest of OPEC and non-OPEC producers, especially as the prime beneficiary would be Saudi Arabia’s long term rival, Iran.”
He also believes that even if an emergency meeting is called, and a production target cut is agreed upon, there is little chance of the group actually sticking to it.

Ex Qatari-oil minister warns OPEC against unilateral output cuts.

Ex Qatari-oil minister warns OPEC against unilateral output cuts. (DS).

KUWAIT CITY: Qatar's veteran former energy minister Abdullah al-Attiyah warned OPEC members Monday against cutting oil output unilaterally because the cartel has lost its role as the world's swing producer.

"OPEC should not do anything because it is not the swing producer" of the past, Attiyah told reporters in Kuwait City.

"They cannot and will not cut [output] unless the main producers outside OPEC join forces," he said.

Attiyah, who led the energy portfolio in gas- and oil-rich Qatar for about two decades, said OPEC should first reach a binding agreement with non-OPEC producers before cutting production.

"Otherwise they will lose market share and others will enjoy high prices and produce more," Attiyah said.

He said OPEC and non-OPEC producers were currently in talks to strike a deal ahead of the organization's meeting early in June.

The days of oil fetching $100 a barrel are over for the foreseeable future, he said, predicting that prices will settle at between $60-70.

Global oil prices dipped Monday as investors took their cue from a rebounding dollar, awaited fresh US economic data and digested another Chinese interest rate cut.

Attiyah estimated at least two million barrels of oversupply of crude in the market at a time when several countries have built the largest stockpile in over 30 years.

Oil production in Saudi Arabia in March amounted to 10.01 million barrels per day compared to 9.663 million barrels per day in February, according to OPEC’s latest monthly report.

Oil production in Saudi Arabia in 2015 will increase by 0.5 million barrels compared to 2014 and reach 10.2 million barrels per day, according to analysts at JP Morgan.

Playing for high stakes: 'Only Allah can set the price of oil' - Saudi's oil minister.

Playing for high stakes: 'Only Allah can set the price of oil' - Saudi's oil minister. (Independent).

Saudi Arabia’s oil minister has turned to divinity over the issue of slumping prices in oil, claiming that “it’s up to Allah”.

Speaking to CNBC, oil minister Ali al-Naimi said that “no one can set the price of oil – it’s up to Allah”.

Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest producer of oil and, while oil prices have been staying low on the market, the country has decided to increase its production of the substance rather than cut it.

Sanctions currently placed on Iran could soon be lifted as part of international nuclear negotiations, which would mean the country’s crude oil would come back on to the market and cause prices to plunge further.

But al-Naimi told the broadcaster he was not worried about this possibility.

His comments come amid speculation of how the country will maintain its decision not to cut oil production. Hmmm.....'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth'. The only way to force the oil price up would be for Iran to close the strait of Hormuz, Which would mean war between the U.S. and Iran.

Commander: IRGC Seeking to Increase Speed of Vessels to 80 Knots, Warns of Hormuz closure.

Commander: IRGC Seeking to Increase Speed of Vessels to 80 Knots.(Fars).

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy plans to increase the speed of its missile-launching and fully armed vessels to 80 knots, Commander of the IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said.

"The IRGC's naval power has been defined based on the 5 pivots of high-speed vessels, missiles, air-and-sea (capabilities), drones and Jihadi commandoes," Fadavi said in a televised interview with the state-run TV on Monday night.

He underlined the IRGC's determination to increase the power and speed of its vessels which, he stressed, are used to protect security in the Persian Gulf.

"High-speed vessels in the world enjoy a speed of about 35 knots but the IRGC's high-speed vessels traverse at the speed of 60 knots and we want to increase this maximum speed to 80 knots in our future plans."

In August 2010, Iran inaugurated the production lines for manufacturing 'Seraj 1' vessel and a new generation of 'Zolfaqar' missile launcher, both developed by the country's experts.

Also in the same month, the IRGC launched tens of its missile-launching speedboats in the Persian Gulf.

The speedboats in Zolfaqar, Tareq, Ashoura and Zoljanah classes were launched in a ceremony attended by Admiral Fadavi and a number of other high-ranking officials.

The Islamic Republic has mass-produced a large number of speedboats with rocket- launchers and other sophisticated military equipment which are able to strike a heavy blow at any foreign warship if the country comes under attack.

The IRGC is responsible for the security of the Persian Gulf. In 2008, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, former commander of the IRGC and the current military advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, declared that the responsibility for defending the Persian Gulf had been handed over to the IRGC.

He warned that the IRGC would seal the strategic Strait of Hormuz in case the US launches any attack on Iran's nuclear installations.Hmmmm.....Speed doesn't mean accurate firepower.

Global oil prices rise on Egypt concerns.

Global oil prices rise on Egypt concerns.(AA).

International petrol prices climbed higher on Tuesday amid continued concerns that Egypt's ongoing political crisis could disrupt flow of oil from region.Oil prices Tuesday climbed higher on continued concerns that the political crisis in Egypt could disrupt the flow of petroleum from the Middle East.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for August delivery hit its highest level since May 2012, jumping $1.61 to $99.60 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent oil futures rose $1 to $104.00 a barrel for August delivery.

Markets are cautiously watching Egypt amid the popular mobilization against President Mohammed Morsi after he snubbed an ultimatum from the army to agree to the "people's demands" or face an imposed solution.

Clashes broke out Wednesday between allies and opponents of the embattled president. Several top Morsi administration officials have resigned in recent days.

The crisis has revived concerns about key oil chokepoints that could be disrupted, said Andy Lebow, senior vice president of energy derivatives at Jefferies Bache. These include the Suez Canal and the Sumed Pipeline, which runs through Egypt and has the capacity to ship some 2.5 million barrels of oil a day, or about 2.7 percent of daily global consumption.

In addition, there is also the risk the strife in Egypt could spread to other countries, Lebow said.
"The market is concerned that perhaps as the situation unravels, that will just destabilize an already unstable region," Lebow said.

"A lot of issues with the Middle East are keeping pressure on the market," said Carl Larry, analyst at Oil Outlooks and Opinions.

Upbeat US economic data has meanwhile boosted hopes for stronger energy demand in the world's top crude consumer, analysts said.

The Institute for Supply Management on Monday said its purchasing managers index of US manufacturing activity rose to 50.9 in June, up from May's 49. Of the 18 manufacturing industries surveyed, 12 reported growth.

Meanwhile, new orders for manufactured goods rose 2.1 percent in May, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. That was above expectations for a rise of 2.0 percent.

Pakistan transfers a key port at mouth of Persian Gulf to China.

Pakistan transfers a key port at mouth of Persian Gulf to China.(GLT).KARACHI, PAKISTAN — Pakistan has agreed let China take operational control of a strategic deep water port on the country's southwestern coast.
The port is vital to Beijing's economic and perhaps military interests.A spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Mohammed Raza, says the Cabinet agreed Wednesday to the deal involving Gwadar port in Baluchistan province.
Under the deal, a company owned by the Chinese government, China Overseas Port Holdings Limited, would purchase control of the port from Singapore's PSA International Pte Ltd.
Raza said Friday that the transaction has not yet taken place.
Asked about the port Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Beijing will support projects that are conducive to good relations with Pakistan.
China's take over of Pakistan's strategic Gwadar port is not aimed at ‘encircling’ India, but the move is crucial to the country's economic interests as it gives western China access to the Arabian Sea to access oil supplies from the Gulf, official Chinese media said on Friday.
"Not surprisingly, China's intentions in taking over GwadarPort have been interpreted through a military perspective. Many analysts from the West and India believe that China harbours the intention to build naval bases there," a commentary posted on the state-run Global Times website said.

"Chinese operational control of Gwadar has seemingly set off alarm bells in India as it feels it is being encircled by China. The Chinese presence in Gwadar has also been seen as a threat to the US fleet in the Middle East."

"In fact, China is not so powerful, nor is India so weak, so as to make it possible that the transfer of a mere civil project can ‘encircle’ India," it said.
Gwadar Port is in a critical strategic location: It is at the apex of the Arabian Sea and the mouth of the Persian Gulf, and only about 400 km away from the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil supply route. Read the full story here.

Iran Sets up New Navy Base in Strait of Hormuz.

Iran Sets up New Navy Base in Strait of Hormuz.(RN).MOSCOW - Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has established a new naval base in the Strait of Hormuz, the export route for around 25 percent of the world's crude oil, the Fars news agency said on Sunday.The base, the fifth in the region, is located near Iran's southern port city of Bandar Lengeh in the Hormozgan province, some 1,100 km (700 miles) south of the capital Tehran. IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said the zone of operations would cover an area from Qeshm island and Naze'aat Islands region to the western waters of the Kish island. "The fifth naval zone was started to provide operational coverage for the Naze'aat Islands, bring about a turning point and start a new trend in the region," the agency quoted Fadavi as saying at the opening ceremony. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz at the end of the Persian Gulf in response to any attack from outside. Iran’s largest naval bases are at the head of the Gulf, around 450 kilometers from the strait, which is just 45 kilometers wide at its narrowest point.Read the full story here.

                                                            Full seize map here.

Iran - Proposal for Blockage of the Strait of Hormuz reached 150 signatures

Iran - Proposal for Blockage of the Strait of Hormuz reached 150 signatures .(Rahesabz) [Google Translate]HT: EA WorldView. MP Karimi-Ghodussi has claimed 150 of the 290-member Majlis has signed a measure supporting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a response to Western action.According to ISNA, Ghoddousi Karimi said the number of signatures to 150 signatures has been closing the Strait of Hormuz and the consensus is that this project because of the projects and people and their representatives with the enemy is too strong Rvhyhay revolutionary ideals and clear answer in the political arena, is courageous and powerful. He humiliated the people of Iran against the West rejected the first day because of Iranian civilization and rich Islamic culture of Western countries is much higher, so people's representatives in the Parliament House Mslhtandyshanh talk and talk the same talk Nmyznnd people. The conservative Rahyafth the strait situation said that God created the world's five in the Strait of Hormuz is the most important of his thirty years ago, acknowledged that the Western world and a key lock in the Strait of Hormuz is Iran. Design plans to close the Strait of Hormuz in the House said that the West has accepted the key Strait of Hormuz to Iran and the Iranian government, and religion based on peace and mutual security; the detection of commercial vessels passing through it harmless, the Iranian is. Addressing the Western countries he said, countries are insisting that the sanctions on Iran through the Iranian people know that the government will propose to the nation's law enforcement in the Straits of Hormuz, so you can identify the front of the traffic is bad for us take them. He expressed his opinion: If you continue the sanctioning countries have no right to impose sanctions, harmless to cross the Strait of Hormuz and the oil shock and mutual defense in front of us Nftkshhayy the sanctioning countries are oil and our inalienable rights in the world, we are denying took. He said that in the Strait of Hormuz, according to international laws to three percent of crude oil per day net effect will be deposited into the Treasury. In response to the question whether his ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz from Oman can be said of our neighbors in the Strait of Hormuz, Oman is a country that has a rocky coast, and unless any floating light vessels can pass through and the safe area for pedestrians, especially our local waters just 21 miles Tunb islands large and small Tunb. Referring to the Saudi plan for the project design to close the Strait of Hormuz oil transmission pipeline, said most oil reservoirs are in the Persian Gulf and close to transport and maritime transportation is the lowest-cost way, if the oil will be pumped through pipes and First, the security of supply pipe does not reach the Red Sea and the second oil pump would be very expensive. No economic justification for the transfer of oil through pipelines and oil prices will increase. Read the full story here.

Twenty nations to stage anti-mining exercise in Middle East Mid September.

Twenty nations to stage anti-mining exercise in Middle East Mid September.(UI).The U.S. Defense Department has announced that 20 nations will stage a joint anti-mining exercise in multiple waterways in the region on 16-27 September. The exercise will focus on countermeasures against any threats, presumably from Iran, to mine the strategic waterways. (Associated Press)
“This is a defensive exercise aimed at preserving freedom of navigation in the international waterways of the Middle East and aimed at promoting regional stability,” Defense Department spokesman George Little told reporters on Tuesday. (AP, 18 July)
The exercise will practice mine countermeasures in multiple waterways. It will demonstrate "the international community's ability to work together to ensure free and secure trade," said CENTCOM Commander Gen. James Mattis.
Word of the exercise follows Monday’s announcement that the U.S. Navy will deploy aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis to the Persian Gulf/Arabian Sea in September. The Pentagon also recently doubled the number of minesweepers in the region. And it sent the USS Ponce, an amphibious transport dock recently retrofitted to become an afloat forward staging base in the Persian Gulf.
The Pentagon has not released the name of the other nations participating in the exercise, leaving it to individual countries to make the announcement.Hmmm....Expect the Belgium and The netherlands to be among them in view of their long 'expertise' in mine sweeping ops.Read the full story here.

Iranian Spokesman: Security of Hormuz Strait "Iran's Top Priority" but "we have a plan for closing it, which is a clever and wise one."

Iranian Spokesman: Security of Hormuz Strait "Iran's Top Priority" but "we have a plan for closing it, which is a clever and wise one."(Fars).Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast stressed the vital importance of maintaining security in the Persian Gulf region, cautioning that foreign meddling in the region will endanger security of global energy supply."The security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is among the main priorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and this security should be durable so that all counties of the region can protect and defend their interests and those of the region," Mehman-Parast said at a weekly press conference on Tuesday. "Any factor impairing this security will threaten the national interests of the regional states," he stated. He said Iran enjoys military and defensive deterrence capability making it possible for the country to establish security in the region, and ensured that the country's "deterrence capability is fully efficient when it comes to defending regional security". He further noted that those countries which are seeking to impair security of energy supply to disturb balance in the global energy market are "the real threat to the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz". The remarks by Mehman-Parast came days after Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi announced that the country has drawn a plan for closing the world oil lifeline, the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf, but meantime stressed that Iranian forces will not shut the waterway before they receive the needed permission from the Supreme Leader. "We have a plan for closing the Strait of Hormuz, but executing the plan needs the permission of the Supreme Leader," Firouzabadi told reporters on the sidelines of an annual gathering of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders in Tehran on Sunday. "The Armed Forces have their own plans for every subject, but the decision to close the Strait of Hormuz lie on the Commander-in-Chief (Ayatollah Khamenei), who also receives consultations from the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC)," he added. The general dismissed the western states' claims that Iran is not able to block the Strait of Hormuz, and said, "They allege that we are bluffing in a bid to appease themselves." "Of course, we don't want to block the Strait of Hormuz, but we have a plan for closing it, which is a clever and wise one," Firouzabadi said. Iran has threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the oil-rich Persian Gulf if its nuclear program is targeted by air strikes that Israel and the United States reserve as an option. Hmmmm.......Just sink a few tankers and the job is done.Read the full story here.

Iranian member of parliament says Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz and have 14 preconditions to re-open it.

Iranian member of parliament says Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz and have 14 preconditions to re-open it.(TI).An Iranian member of parliament says Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz and have 14 preconditions to re-open that. Iranian lawmaker Javad Karimi Ghoddousi told Fars News Agency that 150 of 250 MPs have signed a bill to close the Strait of Hormuz and after reaching the signatures to 250, the bill will be submitted to governors board of the parliament for ratification. According to the bill, Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz and in case of realizing all Iran's 14 preconditions offered to the West, Iran would re-open the strait.
Ghodddousi named only two of 14 preconditions,

eliminating all of the sanctions against Iran and paying 3 percent of the total value of the west-targeted crude oil passing through the strait and depositing the value to the fund of Iran's Central Bank.

Iran has repeatedly announced that it would block the Strait of Hormuz in case its interests be threaten. About 16 million barrels of oil are passing through this international waterway in a day. The U.S. and the European Union imposed tight sanctions targeted Iran's oil export, since last 16 says. Iran's crude sales almost halved over the past year to 1.1 million barrels per day in July because of new round of western sanctions over Iran.Hmmmm......"Let the 'GAMES" begin?"Read the full story here.

OPEC President Iran Consulting with Members on Holding Emergency Meeting.

OPEC President Iran Consulting with Members on Holding Emergency Meeting.(Fars).Iran's Governor at the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Mohammad Ali Khatibi announced that OPEC president Iran is in talks with other member states to hold an emergency meeting following the recent slide in oil prices. "Following the falling world oil prices, OPEC presidency is consulting with the member countries to hold the emergency meeting as soon as possible," Khatibi told FNA on Saturday. He noted that a number of members are eager to hold an emergency meeting due to the decline in oil prices, and said, "To hold an emergency meeting, all members should be present and the meeting will be held once all members agree with it." Khatibi reiterated that consultations still continue with the oil ministers of the member states on this topic. Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi had said earlier this week that many OPEC members have voiced their agreement with Iran's call for holding an emergency meeting. "Fortunately OPEC members, like Algeria, agree with holding this extraordinary meeting," Qassemi told FNA on Tuesday, and added that Algeria has even offered to host the meeting. He reminded the decreasing oil prices in the last few days, and said although the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has not yet sent a reply to Tehran's request, "it seems that OPEC agrees with holding this extraordinary meeting, given the current conditions of oil price". Qassemi called on the members of the oil cartel on Sunday to convene in an emergency meeting, warning that the current market value of oil has gone "illogical". "In 161st OPEC meeting it was agreed that fall of oil prices below $100 per barrel would mean prices have violated the critical line, so we have demanded OPEC secretary general...to make preparations for holding an emergency meeting," Qassemi told the oil ministry's website at the time. Referring to overproduction by some OPEC members and rising inventories in oil consuming countries, the minister told Shana that "if OPEC members don't observe the agreed production ceiling, the oil market will experience disorder". "All members have agreed to respect the organization's production ceiling in a bid to keep the market balanced," he reminded. Qassemi went on to say that prior to the recent OPEC meeting, the cartel's total output had hit approximately 33 million barrels per day which was agreed to scale back to 30 million barrels per day with reasonable prices. "Following the recent OPEC meeting, the supply conditions have improved to some extent,"(Lower production due to Summer hours working in SaudiArabia) Qassemi said, and expressed the hope that members would comply with their commitments. On falling oil prices in recent days, Qassemi said at this time of year falling oil prices originates from seasonal reasons and falling demand but it is expected to go up in winter provided that the level of oil production is reasonable.Hmmm.....Get ready for higher Gas prices.Read the full story here.

Iranian Analyst "Iran Oil Ban Fatal Blow to EU economy".

Iranian Analyst "Iran Oil Ban Fatal Blow to EU economy".(Fars).The US-led EU oil sanctions against Iran strike a fatal blow to Europe, a senior analyst said, adding that Washington is sacrificing its European allies for the sake of its own foreign policy.Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich, a Public Diplomacy Scholar, independent researcher and blogger with a focus on US foreign policy and the role of lobby groups, believes that the US-driven pressures and sanctions on Iran will have dire repercussions for the green continent, specially if Iran reciprocates the European move and blocks the Strait of Hormuz to tankers carrying crude to the EU. "Although American-led Western allies are flexing their muscles by sending battle ships to the Persian Gulf, Washington's own war game exercise, The Millennium Challenge 2002 with a price tag of $250 million, underscored America's inability to defeat Iran. Oblivious to the lesson of its own making, by sending more warships to the Persian Gulf, the United States is inching towards a full scale conflict. The inherent danger from the naval buildup is that unlike the Cuban Missile Crisis, the forces in the Persian Gulf are not confined to two leaders who would be able to communicate to stop a run-away situation. Nor would the consequences of such a potential conflict be limited to the region," Sepahpour-Ulrich said in an article in Global Research. "Given that 17 million barrels of oil a day, or 35% of the world's seaborne oil exports go through the Strait of Hormuz, incidents in the Strait would be fatal for the world economy. While only 1.1 millions barrels per day goes to the United States, a significant amount of this oil is destined for Europe. Surely, one must ask why the United States demands that its "European allies" act contrary to their own national interest, pay a higher price for oil by boycotting Iranian oil and running the risk of Iran blocking the passage of other oil-tankers destined for them? "Again, history has the straight answer. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the United States and not the oil-producing countries has used oil as a weapon. Some examples include the pressure the United States put on Britain in the 1920s to share its oil concessions in the Middle East with US companies. Post World War II, the United States violated the terms of the 1928 Red Line Agreement freezing the British and the French out of the Agreement," she added. "In 1956, the United States made it clear to Britain and France that no oil would be sent to Western Europe unless the two aforementioned countries agreed to a rapid withdrawal from Egypt. The US was not opposed to the overthrow of Nasser, but as Eisenhower said: "Had they done it quickly, we would have accepted it"3. "Demonstrably, although Europe is a major trade partner of the United States, the US does not concern itself with Europe's well being when it comes to executing its foreign policy. This should come as no surprise, especially since the United States sacrifices its own national interest to promote the Israeli agenda and that of the military industrial complex. But this does not explain why Europe would shoot itself in the foot at a time when its economical woes have passed the crisis point." "It is possible that the leaders of Western European countries are beholden to special interest groups - the pro-Israel lobbies, as the United States is, or they believe Iran will not call their bluff by ratifying the bill passed by Majlis and their oil will be delivered unhindered; perhaps both. Either way, they are committing financial suicide and their demise may well come before Iran's resolve is shaken," she concluded.Hmmmm.......Sadly he is right the European Economy will receive the heaviest blows by high oil prices.Read the full story here.

Iran Warns to Close Strategic Waterway in case of Full Sanctions Practice.

Iran Warns to Close Strategic Waterway in case of Full Sanctions Practice.(Fars)."If we completely go under the sanctions, we will not let a single oil drop pass through the Hormuz Strait," Arsalan Fathipour, head of the Iranian Parliament's Economic Commission, told the Iranian students news agency on Tuesday, a day after Europe began to enforce an oil embargo against Iran. Also on Tuesday, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman welcomed a draft bill of the parliament requiring the government to close the Strait of Hormuz to those tankers shipping crude to the countries that support sanctions against Iran, and said the government will implement the bill once it receives the approval of the legislature. "The parliament members are the nation's representatives and they reflect the Iranian nation's views and the Iranian nation's public opinion about the hostile moves against the country," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said in a weekly press conference in Tehran on Tuesday. On Monday the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament drafted a bill requiring the government to stop oil tankers from shipping crude through the Strait of Hormuz to countries that support sanctions against Iran. Mehman-Parast also described the oil sanctions against Iran as "provocative and threatening" to the security of crude supplies, and said, "They should account for their actions and accept the consequences of such decisions which will include social and economic crises in the western countries." An EU embargo on Iranian oil went into effect on Sunday. Tehran has repeatedly cautioned that such measures will hurt talks with world powers over its nuclear program. Iran has threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the oil-rich Persian Gulf if its nuclear program is targeted by air strikes that Israel and the United States reserve as an option. Situated between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz is a passageway for 40% of the world's oil production, including much of the crude extracted in Saudi Arabia. That threat, repeated since December, helped propel oil prices to a four-year high of $128 for a barrel of Brent North Sea reference crude in early March.Read the full story here.

Iranian Gov't, Parliament to Set Up Joint Committee to Counter Oil Sanctions, control oil flow trough Hormuz strait.

Iranian Gov't, Parliament to Set Up Joint Committee to Counter Oil Sanctions, control oil flow trough Hormuz strait.(Fars).The move comes after the EU enforced a set of sanctions on Iranian oil supplies on Sunday despite Iran's repeated warnings. The joint committee will comprise oil ministry officials, members of the parliament's energy commission and the national security and foreign policy commission. A day after the enforcement of the new EU sanctions, the parliament's national security and foreign policy commission drafted a bill requiring the government to stop oil tankers from shipping crude through the Strait of Hormuz to the countries that support sanctions against Iran, a commission member said on Monday. "This project is a response to the oil sanctions imposed by the European Union on the Islamic Republic," Ebrahim Agha Mohammadi said. "This bill has been developed as an answer to the European Union's oil sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran."
"In line with this draft law, the government has the right to stop the transit of tankers (through Hormuz) carrying oil to countries which have imposed oil sanctions on Iran," he added. Parliament would be asked to approve the draft law and consider it a double-urgency priority, he said. Agha Mohammadi said that 100 parliament members had signed the bill as of Sunday. Tehran has repeatedly cautioned that such measures will hurt talks with world powers over its nuclear program. Iran has threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the oil-rich Persian Gulf if its nuclear program is targeted by air strikes that Israel and the United States reserve as an option.Read the full story here.