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Iran threatens oil blockade in Persian Gulf

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    Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton weighs in

  • Duration 6:00
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Good morning everyone of Fox News alert for you Iran is threatening the world supply of oil in the US is taking this -- very seriously.

The rogue regime saying it will blocked the gateway to the golf.

It's a narrow waterway known as the strait of -- moves.

-- saying it will act if it feels its security is threatened what does that mean good morning everyone I'm Jamie -- great test.

Hair and -- Eric -- on a Sunday morning and welcome to America's News HQ and other Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway about 20%.

Or 15 of the world's oil supply passes through that narrow strait.

-- the lifeblood of many nations when our -- again vowing to increase its naval presence in international waters.

And even claiming it's developing -- long range missile that some fear could one day hit the United States.

So what does all the escalating threats and the continued defiance by Tehran mean.

Joining us now -- every Sunday about this time as Fox's contributor and former ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton.

Ambassador good morning.

Good morning there -- it we always have discussed Iran usually every Sunday and now these escalation you just continuing can they close the strait of her moves.

Well.

I think they could close it for a very short period of time but our military.

His game this out over the years.

And they feel very confident they could reopen the straight in a short period of time there moving resources to the region right now in.

That preparation for a possible closure.

But I think really what's going on here is that Iran is Saber rattling for a couple of purposes and that includes the reports we've seen about missile testing in the like they're trying to ratchet up the international price of -- Five making it look like there's risk to the Strait of Hormuz.

They're saying basically to the United States and Europeans.

That they're not going to be intimidated by economic sanctions are threats to their nuclear weapons program and and I think this is -- They're now beginning to -- the nuclear question into the Syria question.

I just earlier today there -- and media reported.

That the government had invited all of the factions and Syria to come to Tehran to have peace talks.

So I think this is something that that's been brewing for awhile but it's very clear -- saying don't step on our toes.

Peace talks in Tehran.

What does that signal -- you.

Well I think that the Iran in leadership is very committed to keeping the aside dictatorship in power there's no doubt about that they've got a lot at stake there.

That's why they have a -- in Revolutionary Guards officers helping the aside regime and it's military operations.

But I -- I have feared this outcome for a long time that if Iran felt that the aside regime was about to fall.

They might be prepared to make a trade with the Obama administration that would goes something like this will give up -- side.

Will lose that pawn in effect.

To protect our queen to protect the nuclear weapons program you give us legitimacy for what we're doing at high levels of enrichment.

And abroad and the nuclear program.

And will be satisfied.

If aside falls I think that would be a disastrous deal for the west.

But I think it's one that Iran could well angle four and I think tying all this together is very much behind the idea.

Posting peace talks -- on the Syrian factions do you think that's a deal that the Obama administration.

Would take and that could be offered.

Well let me be clear I think it's a disastrous deal but yes I do think the Obama administration would be inclined to take it since there.

Diplomacy both with respect to Iran's nuclear weapons program and the ongoing civil war in Syria has been such a failure being able announced say.

That's success that diplomacy would give them something to -- even though the end result I think would be.

Very very risky for the United States for Israel for our Arab friends in the region.

Well this all comes as the Panetta report that came out is very troubling potentially.

They are developing a missile that they think could hit the United States within three years I -- that report.

Ambassador was pretty -- Well it's said and and what's surprising people is that day it follows years of reports from the administration that had downplayed.

Iran's success with its ballistic missile program let's be clear these missiles or not the launch you know weather satellites.

They are designed to be the vehicles to deliver Iran's nuclear weapons -- they've reached that's.

That stage so.

Increasing the range payload capacity and accuracy of Iran -- missiles.

Is very much putting them closer to the point where they can deliver a nuclear weapon worldwide and even though it may be.

Three years before they had a missile that could reach the United States.

Europe is a lot closer and deployed American forces in the region of the Persian gulf.

Her obviously even closer -- finally apparently they could hit Europe.

And Israel certainly right now so if you sketch the hosts -- -- right now.

We've got continued Iranian defiance development of the ballistic missile systems.

Saber rattling over closing the strait of -- -- What is the end game and what do you see this all going ambassador.

Well I think it's moving in the wrong direction I think Iran is on the march I think that whatever the economic pain of the new.

Sanctions that have gone into effect today Iran is clearly showing they're not gonna dissuade them from there but twenty year effort to get deliverable nuclear weapons.

And I think they're determined to make progress during a -- election campaign period in the United States where they think the Obama administration doesn't want any thing.

From the foreign policy world reflecting on his leadership -- rods that are very strong position and the end game is headed towards nuclear weapon.

It's and the US now moving more assets into the Persian gulf especially those mine sweepers and investor John Bolton always.

Good to see you incisive and perceptive as always thank thank you.

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