Cameron's warning to Iran

Cameron warning to Iran: British will use force to defend key oil lifeline

David Cameron threatened Iran with military action yesterday if the regime blocks the Straits of Hormuz – the lifeline for the world’s oil supplies.

The Prime Minister spoke as he paid his first visit to Saudi Arabia, where he won reassurances that the country will step in to keep the oil flowing in the event of a crisis.

He asked for help in slapping an oil embargo on Iran in order to force the Islamic state to negotiate over its nuclear programme.

Saudi authorities have stated that they are willing to assist by supplying oil to countries that currently buy their oil from Iran.

Yesterday Mr Cameron made clear the UK is prepared to intervene militarily if the regime in Tehran goes ahead with its threat to block the Straits, through which 40 per cent of the world’s oil passes.

He said: ‘It is in the interests of the whole world that those Straits are open and, if there was any threat to close them, I am sure the whole world would come together and make sure they stayed open.’

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has also warned that the UK would team up with the U.S. and other countries to hit back with military force.