Iran warns of shutting Gulf oil

Iran's army chief has warned that the Islamic republic would shut the Strait of Hormuz which controls Gulf oil exports if its interests were threatened, the Fars news agency reports.

"All the countries should know that if Iran's interests in the region are ignored, it is natural that we will not allow others to use it (the strait)," General Hassan Firouzabadi was quoted as saying yesterday.

However, Iran's armed forces joint chief of staff stressed his country's priority remains that "the Strait of Hormuz be open."

Speculation has been on the rise that Israel could be planning a military strike against Iranian nuclear sites, using force to halt Tehran's controversial atomic activities.

The commander of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, Vice-Admiral Kevin J Cosgriff, said last week that his forces would not allow Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz.

The strait between Iran and Oman is a vital conduit for energy supplies, with as much as 40 per cent of the world's crude passing through the waterway.

US President George W Bush has not ruled out using force in the nuclear standoff between Iran and the West, but emphasised that he preferred a diplomatic solution.

Iran insists its atomic drive is peaceful, but Western powers fear Tehran is using the program to develop nuclear weapons.

AFP