In the previous post, I mentioned the U.S. naval blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 that almost led to nuclear war. Did you know there is a bill in Congress right now that includes the following language:

Congress… demands that the President initiate an international effort to immediately and dramatically increase the economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities by, inter alia, prohibiting the export to Iran of all refined petroleum products; imposing stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran….
(Underlining is mine for emphasis. For the full text of the legislation, here is a link to the Library of Congress website.)

Most people who have read this language, including international law attorneys, understand it to mean that it authorizes a naval blockade of Iran. (more…)