CHENEY: We'll keep the Sea Lanes Open

One of the many reasons Cheney would be my candidate in 2008;

Cheney Warns Iran Sea Lanes Must Be Open MyWay hat tip Pastorius

ABOARD USS JOHN C. STENNIS (AP) - Vice President Dick Cheney issued a warning to Iran while aboard an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf on Friday, saying the United States would join allies to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons "and dominating the region."

With two U.S. carrier groups now in the region, the vice president declared, "We're sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike. We'll keep the sea lanes open."

Iran exerts considerable control over the narrow passageway that separates the Persian Gulf from the open waters of the Arabian Sea. Roughly a quarter of the world's oil supplies pass through the Straits of Hormuz.

Iran loomed about 150 miles to the east as Cheney spoke aboard the USS John C. Stennis. The carrier was steaming about 20 miles off Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Cheney is spending time there after a two-day tour of Iraq.

It was the latest shot in an escalating war of words, with both Tehran and Washington seeking to increase influence over states bordering Iraq. Cheney's visit comes just two days before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was to visit Abu Dhabi.

"We'll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region," said Cheney.

And on Iraq;

"We want to complete the mission, get it done right, and return with honor," he told Stennis crew members.

Amen.

UPDATE: From the deck of "Mission Accomplished." Love it.

Cheney vows Iran will not get nuclear weapons