Pentagon head warns Iran against blocking Hormuz Strait

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned Iran against any attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz, a naval trade route for 40% of global naval petroleum freighting, BBC reports.

Iran warned about closing the Hormuz Strait in late December after Western states imposed an embargo on its oil exports. US General Martin Dempsy said that Iran is capable of realizing its threats.

The European Union approved an embargo on imports of petroleum from Iran to persuade Tehran to halt its nuclear program. A summit of EU foreign ministers will be held in late January to make final decisions on the issue.