Quote from 377OHMS:
Doesn't anyone else think as I do that Iran is just trying to manipulate the price of crude oil?
Their threat today gave oil a nice little price spike. I've read that every cent above around $85.00 per barrel is a huge windfall for Iran and finances their purchases from Pakistan, China and North Korea.
They need that oil price to be high to realize their nuclear ambitions. It is the only thing that makes sense. There is no other rational reason to threaten closure of the Straight. They've no intention of taking on the USN directly.
Their behavior may be reprehensible but that should not be confused with stupidity. Frankly they have played a superb chess game against the West.
Even Iran's threats against Israel should be examined for the underlying motivation. I think it is more about proxy control of the Lebanon and Syria and their perceived leadership role in the ME.
Iran wants to sell their oil. It is the United States that is imposing sanctions designed to prevent other countries from buying Iranian oil. So if anybody is causing the price of oil to spike it's us.
