Washington, July 20 (ANI): Iran plans to disrupt international oil trade by attacking oil platforms and tankers, U.S. officials have warned.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, officials, citing new intelligence, said the information suggests that Iran could take action against facilities both inside and outside the Persian Gulf.
The findings come as American officials closely watch Iran for its reaction to international sanctions.
The Pentagon has warned Tehran over its threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil-shipment point, and U.S. officials and analysts said Iranian officials apparently believe that mining the narrow strait would result in a U.S. attack on their forces.
U.S. officials said some Iranians believe they could escape a direct counterattack by striking at other oil facilities, including those outside the Persian Gulf, perhaps by using its elite forces."Iran is very unpredictable," a senior defense official said, adding: "We have been very clear what we as well as the international community find unacceptable."Spokesmen for the Defense Department and the Central Intelligence Agency declined to comment on any intelligence related to Iranian attacks on the oil industry. (ANI)
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