Rouhani threatens to block Gulf sea routes
Iranian president issues warning as US carrier group sails to region
US defence officials say an American aircraft carrier group will arrive in the Middle East this week as a show of strength against Iran.
The announcement comes after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani yesterday warned the US that if Tehran could not export oil, it would prevent all Gulf countries from shipping it out.
The USS John C Stennis and its support vessels will stay in the region for two months to deter any hostility from Iran.
Its arrival will be the first such military presence in the region for the past eight months.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has grown increasingly intolerant of Tehran’s meddling in the region and continues to draw closer to Iran’s regional rival, Saudi Arabia.
US officials also want to reduce Iran’s oil exports to nil through sanctions to curb the country’s nuclear programme and regional influence.
“America should know it is not capable of preventing the export of Iran’s oil,” Mr Rouhani said at a televised rally in Semnan province. “If it ever tries to do so, no oil will be exported from the [Arabian] Gulf.”
Iran has repeatedly threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz, a major sea route for oil and other exports from the Gulf area, in response to international pressure.
Mr Rouhani threatened to close the strait in July saying that the US “should not play with the lion’s tail”, in response to Mr Trump’s announcement that his government would withdraw from the nuclear deal.
The US has warships in the area and vowed to take military action to ensure the free passage of shipping, if necessary.
Washington reimposed sanctions, including an oil embargo, since withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers.
It granted eight countries temporary waivers to buy Iranian oil – including Iraq, which relies on imports from Tehran – on the condition that they also seek alternative sources.
Saudi Arabia said it would increase production to compensate for the reduction of supply from Iran.
Mr Rouhani played down the economic effect of sanctions, accusing the media of exaggerating the country’s problems.
“No hyperinflation, no massive unemployment will threaten us,” he said. “People should stop saying such things in the papers.”
The latest inflation report from Iran’s Central Bank said food prices rose 56 per cent in October, compared with the year before.
Mr Rouhani acknowledged there were some problems but said they would be addressed in the new budget plan to be presented on December 16.
He said the government would maintain subsidies on essential goods and increase public sector wages and pensions by 20 per cent.