A fifth of world’s oil supplies pass through the strait at the edge of the Gulf. Iran has threatened to close the strait in retaliation for Western-led efforts to thwart its nuclear program.
Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, was quoted by the official news agency Tuesday as saying Kuwait and other Arab Gulf countries contacted officials in Iran to ensure the vital waterway is not closed.
He said, “We have received assurances from Iran that it will not take this step.”
The state news agency, KUNA, says the emir made the comments to a Japanese newspaper during a visit to Tokyo.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s top leader has warned that the country will attack any enemy “on the same level” as it attacks Iran.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei named both the U.S. and Israel as Iran’s enemies in remarks broadcast on state TV Tuesday.
Both countries have not ruled out a strike against Iran’s nuclear program, which they say is at developing weapons technology. Khamenei reiterated Tehran’s promise that it does not have a bomb, and is not trying to build one.
