(CNN) Barbara Starr - The U.S. is looking at what military options may be needed to keep vital waterways in the Middle East open in the wake of attacks on Saudi oil tankers by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on July 25, according to two administration officials. Both officials emphasize that any military action would be carried out by U.S. allies in the region, such as the Saudis, and not by U.S. forces. Concerns have been growing as Iranian officials have increased threats against shipping in the Persian Gulf and through the chokepoint at the Strait of Hormuz. Defense Secretary James Mattis said Friday, "Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz." If the Iranians do move to shut down oil shipping directly, "it would have obviously an international response to reopen the shipping lanes with whatever that took because the world's economy depends on that energy, those energy supplies flowing out of there."
2018-07-30 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive