On September 28, US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke publicly threatened Russia with a naval blockade saying that this is an option to prevent Russia from selling its energy.
“The United States has that ability, with our Navy, to make sure the sea lanes are open, and, if necessary, to blockade … to make sure that their energy does not go to market,” Zinke stated at an industry event in Pittsburgh hosted by the Consumer Energy Alliance adding that “Russia is a one trick pony”.
According to the US official, the shale energy has given Washington an edge over its competitors like Russia and Iran and made the US less dependent on foreign sources of energy.
“I believe the reason they are in the Middle East is they want to broker energy just like they do in eastern Europe, the southern belly of Europe,” Zinke claimed.
As to Iran, the official even stated that there is a “military option” to propel the US interests in the region. However, he added that there are also economic and political options.
“The economic option on Iran and Russia is, more or less, leveraging and replacing fuels,” he said. “We can do that because … the United States is the largest producer of oil and gas.”
Top Photo | Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is seen at the Interior Department in Washington, Wednesday, March 29, 2017. (AP/Molly Riley)