December 5, 2009 - 17:15 AMT
ONI: Iran to shut down the oil route
The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence has confirmed that Iran can shut down the strategic Strait of Hormuz through which 40 percent of the world's oil supplies pass.

The report confirms a September G2B assessment that Iran's naval forces will shut down the oil route should either the United States or Israel decide to bomb the country's nuclear facilities.

"Given the importance of the Strait, disrupting traffic flow or even threatening to do so may be an effective tool for Iran," ONI warned.

The G2B report also pointed out that while Iran's ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz may be short-lived, the impact would be highly detrimental to the world economy.