As Russia is focused on Georgia, and China is focused on the Olympics (two countries that might oppose further sanctions against Iran), the US is amassing its largest naval buildup in the Persian/Arabian Gulf since the 1991 Gulf War. This deployment comes on the heels of both House and Senate resolutions calling on the President to take action against Iran, which could only be accomplished through a naval blockade, an act of war under international law. Such a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz would cause oil prices to skyrocket and cause an energy crisis greater than we are experiencing currently.

House Resolution 362:

(3)demands that the President initiate an international effort to immediately and dramatically increase the economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities by, inter alia, prohibiting the export to Iran of all refined petroleum products; imposing stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran; and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension of Iran’s nuclear program;

Senate resolution 580:

3) demands that the President lead an international effort to immediately and dramatically increase the pressure on the Government of Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities by, among other measures, banning the importation of refined petroleum products to Iran;

Specifically, Benzene, a gasoline additive, is the target of a blockade. Iran has limited domestic oil refining capabilities, and it imports 40% of its Benzene, even though it is considered cheaper than water in Iran. If the US blocks Iranian imports of Benzene, you can expect Iran to retaliate.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered a “chokepoint”, since one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through this narrow body of water. Iran would respond to a US blockade with one of their own. Heritage.org explains why we should be concerned and predicted oil would increase an additional $85 a barrel if such an Iranian blockade occurred:

As global energy demand grows—especially among China, India, and other developing coun tries—competition for access to oil is escalating. The Persian Gulf is becoming the most important bottleneck, making freedom of navigation through the strait a vital American and global interest.

Debkafile warns the US will strike back to keep this vital strait open:

Iran, which imports 40 percent of its refined fuel products from Gulf neighbors, will retaliate for the embargo by shutting the Strait of Hormuz oil route chokepoint, in which case the US naval and air force stand ready to reopen the Strait and fight back any Iranian attempt to break through the blockade.

According to Stop War on Iran, the following naval forces are headed towards the Gulf to carry out such actions, if need be:

Carrier Strike Group Nine:

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72) nuclear powered carrier with its Carrier Air Wing Two

Destroyer Squadron Nine:

USS Mobile Bay (CG53) guided missile cruiser

USS Russell (DDG59) guided missile destroyer

USS Momsen (DDG92) guided missile destroyer

USS Shoup (DDG86) guided missile destroyer

USS Ford (FFG54) guided missile frigate

USS Ingraham (FFG61) guided missile frigate

USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG60) guided missile frigate

USS Curts (FFG38) guided missile frigate

Plus one or more nuclear hunter-killer submarines

Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group:

USS Peleliu (LHA-5) a Tarawa-class amphibious assault carrier

USS Pearl Harbor (LSD52) assult ship

USS Dubuque (LPD8) assult ship/landing dock

USS Cape St. George (CG71) guided missile cruiser

USS Halsey (DDG97) guided missile destroyer

USS Benfold (DDG65) guided missile destroyer Carrier Strike Group Two:

USS Theodore Roosevelt (DVN71) nuclear powered carrier with its Carrier Air Wing Eight

Destroyer Squadron 22:

USS Monterey (CG61) guided missile cruiser

USS Mason (DDG87) guided missile destroyer

USS Nitze (DDG94) guided missile destroyer

USS Sullivans (DDG68) guided missile destroyer

USS Springfield (SSN761) nuclear powered hunter-killer submarine

IWO ESG ~ Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group

USS Iwo Jima (LHD7) amphibious assault carrier with its Amphibious Squadron Four

and with its 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

USS San Antonio (LPD17) assault ship

USS Velia Gulf (CG72) guided missile cruiser

USS Ramage (DDG61) guided missile destroyer

USS Carter Hall (LSD50) assault ship

USS Roosevelt (DDG80) guided missile destroyer

USS Hartfore (SSN768) nuclear powered hunter-killer submarine Carrier Strike Group Seven:

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN76) nuclear powered carrier with its Carrier Air Wing 14

Destroyer Squadron 7:

USS Chancellorsville (CG62) guided missile cruiser

USS Howard (DDG83) guided missile destroyer

USS Gridley (DDG101) guided missile destroyer

USS Decatur (DDG73) guided missile destroyer

USS Thach (FFG43) guided missile frigate

USNS Rainier (T-AOE-7) fast combat support ship

Several of these warships recently participated in exercies in the Atlantic Ocean named Operation Brimstone.

A US blockade of Iran will not bring peace to the Middle East. Such military action will only escalate conflict, as well as skyrocket oil prices beyond the budget of most Americans. Even the fear of military action against Iran raised the price of oil earlier this summer, and some experts predict the passage of the House and Senate resolutions could have this affect even before a blockade was initiated. While we are still dependent upon foreign oil, we must carefully weigh these consequences. The time for real diplomacy is now, both for peace and our energy needs.

Image: NASA

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