A Thigh-Slapper From the State Department

Just days ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the President would not renew any waivers allowing certain countries to purchase Iranian oil.

We want to "drive Iranian oil sales to zero" he said.


In response, a top Iranian official threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through which 20% of all world oil flows.

So after announcing that the US wants to drive Iranian oil sales to zero, a State Department official issued this statement in response to the threat to close the Strait:

We call on Iran, and all countries, to respect the free flow of energy and commerce, and freedom of navigation.

-RW