U.K. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has stated that any intention by Iran to disrupt the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz will be deemed as illegal and unsuccessful.
He added that disruption to the flow of oil through the strait will impose a threat to regional and global economic growth and that the U.K. Royal Navy will have a considerable role as part of the Combined Maritime Forces, both at the Headquarters in Bahrain and through the mine counter-measure vessels which help maintain freedom of navigation in the Gulf.
Iran has threatened to block oil deliveries through the Strait of Hormuz should global powers impose sanctions on the country’s oil industry due to its nuclear activities.
Hammond is visiting Washington on Thursday to meet U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and discuss Afghanistan, the Gulf and defense cooperation.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , January 06, 2012; Image: 7sur7