The Middle-East Observer
Oil
Israeli deputy FM Ayalon calls on UN to impose oil embargo on Iran
Israeli deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon asked Colombia, which leads the UN Committee that overseas sanctions on Iran, to implement an oil embargo on Iran. To prevent a regional crisis to happen because of rising oil prices after such an embargo, Ayalon called on Colombia, a major oil exporter, to increase its outputs and in … Continue reading
Opinion: Should oil be used as a weapon?
The writer of this article, Linda S. Heart, discusses the option of using oil for political purposes. Until now, OPEC (which controls 79 percent of the world’s crude oil reserves) has refrained from using its oil as a tool to manipulate the outcome of certain conflicts. Saudi foreign ministers have been quoted repeatedly saying that … Continue reading
Analysis: Will Saudi Arabia Send the Troops?
Following a Saudi pledge to increase oil production to supply states banning Iranian oil, tensions between the two countries have peeked. Iran repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, where 40% of the world oil transit, threats which “could be interpreted by Saudi Arabia as an act of war,” Ali Al-Tawati, a Saudi military affairs analyst said. … Continue reading
EU calls Iran’s bluff on military threats and sets oil embargo for July
Foreign minister from European Union member states have agreed to set an embargo on Iranian oil starting in six months time. To force the Iranian regime to stop its alleged nuclear weapons program, the EU will stop importing oil and petroleum products from the Islamic Republic starting July 1. The time lag is meant to … Continue reading
Iran warns of consequences if Arabs back oil sanctions
Gulf Arab states will suffer the consequences if they increase their production of crude to replace Iranian oil facing international embargo. Over the past weeks, European Union and United States have both taken steps towards a ban on Iranian oil; China has also become closer to Saudi Arabia, yet another sign of growing Iranian isolation. … Continue reading
U.S. Sends Top Iranian Leader a Warning on Strait Threat
The Obama Administration has sent Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a message of warning through a private channel, U.S. officials say. The warning made clear that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran would cross an American “red line,” provoking a U.S. response. The New York Times, United States Click here for the full … Continue reading
Analysis: Political Islam Without Oil
Egypt’s Islamist parties – Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist Al Nour party – secured more than 60% of the seats in the country’s parliamentary elections. With the beginning of the first parliamentary session approching quickly, all eyes are turned on the Islamists and on how they will cope with the realities of Egypt, such as corruption, … Continue reading
Royal Navy sends its mightiest ship to take on the Iranian show of force in the Gulf
The British Navy’s most formidable warship is being sent to the Gulf for its first mission as tensions rise in the strategically vital region, it can be disclosed. The Daily Telegraph, United Kingdom Click here for the full story
Opinion: Tehran is desperate, so the world must be careful
Iran is weak and getting weaker. Tehran’s reaction to the prospect of sanctions that affect its oil exports shows its desperation. The Daily Star, Lebanon Click here for the full story
Analysis: Iran could close Hormuz but not for long
Should Iran’s rulers ever make good their threats to block the Straits of Hormuz, they could almost certainly achieve their aim within a matter of hours. But they could also find themselves sparking a punishing ̶ if perhaps short-lived ̶ regional conflict from which they could emerge the primary losers. Reuters, United States Click here for … Continue reading
EU agrees on Iran oil embargo
European governments have agreed in principle to impose a ban on imports of oil from Iran, a potentially serious blow to the already unsteady Iranian economy and a significant escalation in the international pressure on the Tehran government. The Guardian, United Kingdom Click here for the full story
Iran threatens U.S. Navy as sanctions hit economy
Iran threatened Tuesday to take action if the U.S. Navy moves an aircraft carrier into the Gulf, Tehran’s most aggressive statement yet after weeks of saber-rattling as new U.S. and EU financial sanctions take a toll on its economy. Reuters, United States Click here for the full story
Iran to test-fire long-range missiles as tensions rise between Tehran and West
Iran will fire long-range missiles during a naval drill in the Gulf on Saturday, a semi-official news agency reported, a show of force at a time when Iran has threatened to close shipping lanes if the West imposes sanctions on its oil exports. Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia Click here for the full story
Iran: no oil will be allowed to pass through Strait if West applies sanctions
No oil will be permitted to pass through the key oil transit Strait of Hormuz if the West applies sanctions on Iran’s oil exports, Iranian Vice President Ali Rahimi warned on Tuesday. More than a third of the world’s tanker-borne oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia Click here for the full … Continue reading
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