Monday, July 23, 2018

Trump Issues Fiery Response After Iranian President Threatens U.S.


Trump Issues Fiery Response After Iranian President Threatens U.S.
ByHank Berrien
July 23, 2018
On Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned President Trump about escalating a confrontation with Iran, asserting that such an action would lead to the "mother of all wars.” Al Jazeera reported that Rouhani, referencing an idea that the U.S. might attempt to block Iran from exporting its crude oil, added, "Do not play with the lion's tail or else you will regret it.”

Trump issued a fiery, blistering response to Rouhani:

To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!

Al Jazera reported on July 5 that Rouhani seemed to imply Iran might block the Strait of Hormuz if Iran’s exports were blocked. A U.S. energy department report stated that at least 18.5 million barrels of oil traveled every day in 2016 through that waterway; one-third of the world’s sea-borne oil travels through the Strait every day. The great bulk of the crude exported from Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq pass through the Strait, as well as virtually all the liquefied natural gas (LNG) from lead exporter Qatar.

Rouhani continued, "Is it possible that everyone in the region sells their oil and we stand idly by and watch? Do not forget that we have maintained the security of this waterway [Strait of Hormuz] throughout history. We have historically secured the route of oil transit. Do not forget it.”

The U.S. Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, has the job of protecting the commercial ships in the area.

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