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US sees no Iranian response to EU embargo

23 January 2012, 23:06 CET
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(WASHINGTON) - The US military noticed no reaction Monday from Iran after the European Union voted to embargo Iranian oil, a Pentagon spokesman said.

"From a military perspective, we haven't seen any indication of raising the stakes in that regard," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

The oil embargo vote Monday by European Union countries was a response to Iran's continuing nuclear development program, which they say could include nuclear weapons. The embargo would be phased in gradually.

In late December, Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said that if the international community sanctions Iranian oil, the Iranians might close the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-third of the world's oil passes. Some senior Iranian political leaders repeated the threats Monday.

A Western flotilla that included American, British and French warships passed through the Strait on Sunday without problems, Navy Captain Kirby said.

An Iranian aircraft flew over the area at high altitude, but Kirby described the flight as "routine."

"This happens all the time," he said. "There was no hostile action."

In recent days, the Iranian government has hinted at a willingness to resume negotiations over its nuclear program after talks broke off last year. The Iranians say they are developing nuclear energy only for peaceful purposes.


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