U.S.: Be patient about Iran oil threatWhite House says Tehran...

U.S.: Be patient about Iran oil threat
White House says Tehran needs time to consider incentive plan to curb nuclear activity.
June 5, 2006: 11:42 AM EDT


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said Monday Iran's threat to disrupt oil supplies in the event of a wrong move by Washington was "theoretical," and urged patience to allow Tehran to consider an incentives package from major powers aimed at curbing its nuclear program.

Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of the world's fourth largest oil exporter, said Sunday that oil flows from the Gulf could be disrupted if the United States made a "wrong move" against Iran. His remarks prompted oil prices to rise.


"He threatened that in the case of a United States invasion, that was a theoretical statement," White House spokesman Tony Snow said.

"I am not going to tell what steps one might take in such a situation, that not only would be irresponsible it would be unprecedented," Snow said.

He also urged patience to allow Iran to consider the offer agreed last week by the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany, designed to persuade Tehran to halt uranium enrichment.

"Let's give it time, let the Iranians take a look at what the offers are, the incentives and disincentives. One can probably expect there to be a couple of quick rejoinders. We counsel patience," Snow said.

Western nations fear Iran is enriching uranium to make an atomic bomb. Iran insists its aims are entirely peaceful and that it wants to make fuel only to generate electricity.