The US Vice President Dick Cheney has issued a warning to Iran from an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.
He said Washington and its allies would keep Tehran from restricting sea traffic and developing nuclear arms.
Mr Cheney, who is touring the Middle East, was speaking from the deck of the USS Stennis as the carrier sailed about 240km from Iran's coast.
He said that the presence of the American navy in the region sent a clear message to Iran.
