Pentagon rejects threats of Iran

The Pentagon responded yesterday to the threats of Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that it will not stop the advance of his carrier by the strategic step, while the White House stressed that the reaction of Tehran is sign of his weakness.

Of the Pentagon, George Little, spokesman said yesterday that the American John C. Stennis carrier and its battle group will maintain its course of transit from the Oman Gulf to the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, waters shared by Iran and Oman.

Little said in a statement in Washington that transit through the passage of sea is necessary for the provision of the missions in the region.

The head of the Iranian armed forces, general Ataolah Salehí, warned yesterday that the American ship not return to the Persian Gulf, at the time who believed that the enemies of Iran have understood the message that have tried to convey with the recent naval maneuvers to u000aTehran carried out these days in the area

The Pentagon added that "the movements of the carrier in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz - via strategic for maritime traffic in the petróleoresponden a long American military commitment data".

"Our transits by the Strait of Hormuz are in accordance with international law, which guarantees the right of passage to nuestrasnaves," said Little. In the same vein, the spokesman for the Department of State, Victoria Nuland, stressed that Washington defends "freedom of navigation in the Straits" and their right to move their boats.

"We are not seeking a confrontation, but we will ensure that it respects freedom of navigation," said the spokesman.

For its part, the White House said that warnings from Tehran "reflect the fact that Iran is in a position of weakness" and are "a confirmation that faces to" u000a"increasing pressure" for failing to meet its obligations with the community international

The Iranian regime has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, vital to the global supply of oil, if United States and its allies continue forward with its sanctions in retaliation for its nuclear development. "Iran is isolated and is trying to divert attention from domestic problems and his behavior" assessed the spokesman for the White House, Jay Carney, who added that this shows the impact of sanctions and international support to pressure Tehran.

Iran yesterday concluded the military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf which had started ten days ago and which tested several missiles of short and medium range.

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A relationship with greater voltage
those maneuvers military Iranian have high the climate of tension between Iran and United States, after Tehran announced its intention of block. u000awith these military exercises the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. The step, that in its point more narrow measured 54 kilometers, is a via of navigation located in waters territorial of Iran and Oman by which passing, each day, an average of 13 ships tanks that transported more than 15 million of barrels of oil crudo, i.e. a third of those shipments global of hydrocarbons.

Meanwhile, the French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé, called for a strengthening of sanctions against Iran, because in his view "no doubts" that remains in its program.

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