Tag Archives: Iran

The UK threatened military action if Iran attempted to close the Gulf of Hormuz. Western nations prepared contingency plans in case Iranian oil supplies are cut off. Iran prepared to move uranium enrichment into underground bunkers. Iran mounted a crackdown on internet cafes.

Iran warned US aircraft carriers not to return to the Persian Gulf after the USS Stennis exited the gulf. The US dismissed the warning. France said it was convinced Iran was developing nuclear weapons and called for stricter economic sanctions.

Iran test fired “long-range” shore-to-sea and surface-to-surface missiles, called Qader (Capable) and Nour (Light). The value of Iran’s currency fell 10 percent following new US sanctions against Iran’s central bank. Iran closed a border point with Pakistan after a Pakistani border force detained three Iranian guards for crossing the border and killing a man.

The commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps backed away from recent threats to close Strait of Hormuz. Iran postponed long-range missile tests and signaled it was ready to reopen talks on its nuclear program. The US imposed further sanctions on financial institutions that deal with Iran.

Iran’s navy chief threatened again that his country can easily close the Strait of Hormuz. The US warned Iran that it will not tolerate any disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait. Iran held the first trial session of Amir Mirza Hekmati, who was recently arrested on a charge of spying for the CIA.

Iran said its navy would hold war games beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the US military was ready to engage in a conflict with Iran if necessary. Sanctions have impacted Iran’s trade ties with Arab Gulf states.