Cheney warns Iran over access to sea routes, nuclear program
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ABOARD THE USS JOHN C. STENNIS — Vice President Dick Cheney warned Iran on Friday that the United States and its allies would prevent it from restricting sea traffic and from developing nuclear weapons.
“We’ll keep the sea lanes open,” Cheney said from the hangar deck of this aircraft carrier about 150 miles from Iran’s coast. “We’ll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region.”
Cheney is touring the region, asking Arab allies to do more to help Iraq and to curb Iran.
About a quarter of the world’s oil supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. Iran controls the eastern side of the channel.
The carrier was in the Persian Gulf about 20 miles off Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Cheney is spending time there after a two-day tour of Iraq.
Cheney also sounded a hard line on holding firm in Iraq.
“We want to complete the mission, get it done right and return with honor,” he said.
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