Iran says able to close key oil route ”easily”

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran can easily close a key Gulf shipping route if it were attacked over its nuclear program, the head of the Revolutionary Guards was quoted as saying on Monday, a move that could choke off world oil exports.

The statement by commander-in-chief Mohammad Ali Jafari was likely to fuel tension over Tehran’s disputed atomic ambitions, coming shortly after Iran again said it would press on with nuclear work the West suspects is aimed at making bombs.

Military analysts say the United States could unleash vastly superior firepower against Iran, but say the Islamic Republic could hit back against Washington’s forces in Iraq and by disrupting oil supplies vital to the world economy.

Iran’s armed forces have “the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz, easily and on an unlimited basis,” state radio quoted Jafari as telling a news conference.

Reuters