Iran, as I write this (Monday), has rejected efforts to defuse the situation in the Arabian Gulf, a situation it has created with its piracy of and extended threats toward oil shipping in the Gulf and transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Indeed, in response to a planned British redeployment of a couple of small combat ships to the Gulf to add to the protection of British tankers, Iran had this:
But Mr [Ali, Iranian government spokesman] Rabie warned Sunday that a European military deployment in the Gulf would be viewed as an escalation of the crisis. “Such moves under the current conditions are provocative,” he said, according to IRNA.
Thus, Iran does not want the nations trading in oil to be able to more effectively protect their shipping. Iran demands to preserve its ability to seize those ships for itself.
This is not the action of a peace-loving nation. Piracy in the Gulf is the responsibility of Iran.
As Wretchard pointed out a couple of weeks ago, Iran needs tension to put upward pressure on the price of oil. The sanctions do appear to have placed the regime in stress – but they can’t afford war at sea, which they know they would lose. And I don’t think their Millenarian cult includes that …