Iran threatens to block Gulf oil route if attacked (Roundup)

Jun 28, 2008, 11:05 GMT

Tehran - Iran reiterated that it would block the oil export route in the Persian Gulf if attacked, a Tehran newspaper reported Saturday.

'It is understood that a country would use all possible options against an aggressor if militarily attacked. In that case, Iran would also intensify control of the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz,' the commander of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards told Jam'e Jam daily.

General Mohammad Ali Jafari also warned neighbouring countries not to take part in any military strike plans against Iran.

The general made the statement in reference to reports that the United States and Israel might attack the main Iranian nuclear site in Natanz, central Iran, after the Islamic state once again refused to suspend its uranium enrichment programme.

In earlier statements, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that the country would be justified in using all options in the event of an attack. He also had not ruled out blocking the Persian Gulf blockade and using controls on oil supplies as a weapon.

A major part of regional oil exports are piped through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and a blockade could trigger a worldwide energy crisis.

Jafari also warned Israel that the Jewish state was within the range of Iranian missiles and indicated that any Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites would be retaliated against by missile attacks.

Earlier this month, the Israeli air force held an exercise that US officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iran's medium-range Shahab-3 missile reportedly has a range of between 1,300 and 2,000 kilometres and is said to be able to reach any part of Israeli territory.