iran's long range missiles are standing by for ten day naval drills in the persian gulf tehran has threatened to blow quicky oil supply route if the west continues to tighten its sanctions over iran's alleged nuclear program. rallies that up in syria would opposition activists reporting dozens of deaths at the hands of police the u.n. says more than five thousand people have died in the ten month long unrest with damascus blaming armed gangs for the violence. and the you know the per task as twenty eleven draws to a close there revolutions and rallies around the globe that made it what it was the arab spring the occupy movement europeans are walking out against ever growing cuts we're just some of them. and up next our moscow chain looks over at some highlights will be past year in the festive season to recap from the opening of the bolshoi to a daring stunts caught on film. hello and welcome to the program on this week's moscow special we'll be looking over the highlights of the pasir twenty eleven has been an exciting year for the world of russian culture and indeed for the mosque or out so

iran raze long range missiles for use during a ten day naval drill in the persian gulf tehran has threatened to block a wild supply route if the west continues to tighten sanctions that's as iran's top nuclear negotiator expresses his country's willingness for pressure. fresh rallies flare up in syria with opposition activists reporting dozens of deaths at the hands of police the u.n. says more than five thousand people have died in the ten month long unrest with damascus blaming armed gangs for the violence. and the year of the protesters twenty seven draws to a close it's the revolutions and rallies around the globe that made it water was the arab spring the occupy movement europeans walking out against the ever growing cots were just some of them. well those we had lines here that are up next the latest sports news. hello there good to have you company and these are the headlines. back in business former chelsea coach and he takes the reins if harry sanjay man. teles number one djokovic he's just forty four minutes to thrash better in abu dhabi. and new year's showdown russia's mixed mart

the top stories iran readies long range missiles for use during a ten day naval drill in the persian gulf tehran has threatened to block a few oil supply route if the west continues to tighten sanctions that says iran's top nuclear negotiator expresses his country's willingness for fresh dogs. rallies in syria with opposition activists before dozens of deaths at the hands of police the un says more than five thousand people have died in the ten month long on rests with damascus blaming armed gangs for the violence. and the year of the protester is twenty one and ross to quote it's the revolutions in rallies around the globe that made it the water was the arab spring the aga by movement walking out against ever growing hard work just something that. we visit the waters of the white seat a magnet for tourists. the white sea its surface remains choked with ice been nearly seven months a year. the chilly breath of the arctic ocean keeps the water freezing cold. near the coast however the high winds and bitter cold recede. that even in winter also can be seen through holes in the ice. board squeals a

the top stories iran readies long range missiles for use during a ten day naval drill in the persian gulf tehran is threatening to block a new oil supply route if the west continues to tighten sanctions that says iran's top nuclear negotiator expresses his country's willingness for. rallies flayer robin syria with opposition activists before dozens of deaths.

escalating over the past few days following iran's threat to block a crucial oil supply route in the persian gulf tehran is currently holding large scale war games in neutral waters near the hormuz strait the us has its own naval force in the region which it says is to ensure that the passage remains open. and is not how it washington bureau now joins us live. guy thanks for coming on the program today there certainly has been harsh exchange of rhetoric between washington and tehran tell us more about that what you. well absolutely day after day we see the degree of tension rising iranian and american warships kind of brushed shoulders earlier as u.s. ships passed the area where terror on is holding a ten day military exercise the u.s. fifth fleet said they crossed the strait of hormuz unhindered and that he was a routine passage iran's right in to cut off the strait of hormuz which is the major golf oil artery forty percent of the world's tanker shipped oil passes through that strait the u.s. said they would not tolerate any disruption of supplies which suggests that if you ran goes through with their

warning iran that i interference in a key oil shipping lane in the persian gulf will not be tall rated. tehranreatening to close af the strait of hormuz. >>> outraged moms descended on target stores across the country with nursing babies in hand. to show support for a texas mother who said she was bullied by target staffers for breast-feeding in the store. >>> a look at weather. rain and snow from detroit to the dakotas. rain from billings and boise. and seattle to portland. >>> and finally, the hidden costs of those free apps. one california family found out the hard way. >> yeah. free, indeed. reporter george warner of our sacramento station, shows us how easily it can happen. >> reporter: just before thanksgiving, 5-year-old zachary beagle fell in love with a free iphone app called my town 2. like monopoly, players try to build a fortune. the problem is, players actually buy pretend money with real money. using in this case, his mother's debit card. and you can probably see where this is headed. >> if you want to buy money. >> reporter: zachary's mom approved the single $1.99 purchase for a

iran has showcased the strength of their navy in the persian gulf and tensions remain high in the region. tehran has threatened to close the straits of hormuz, a critical shipping lane for oil exports, if the west imposes sanctions. >> iran's state television has released these pictures designed to show the navy's strength in the persian gulf. iran says that these shots taken from one of its helicopters show a u.s. aircraft carrier patrolling the same international waters. iran's navy is currently carrying out 10 days of naval exercises in the area. they have threatened to close the nearby st. of hormuz if the west imposes sanctions on iran's vital oil exports. >> close in the strait of hormuz is such an easy job for the islamic report -- at islamic republic's armed forces. this is a basic capability of the navy. today, we have gone beyond the strait of hormuz and have the oman sea under control as well. >> the straits connect several of the oil-producing countries to the rest of the world. about 17% of the world's oil exports passed through the straits in 2010. 80% of iran's total exports come

long range missiles as part of its stand a naval drills in the persian gulf the maneuvers commented saber rattling with washington tehran's promise to block the vital oil supply route through the strait of hormuz if the west imposes sanctions over iran's alleged nuclear program got next account reports. day after day we see the degree of tension rising iranian and american warships kind of brushed shoulders earlier as u.s. ships passed the area where terror on is holding a ten day military exercise the u.s. fifth fleet said they crossed the strait of hormuz unhindered and that he was a routine passage iran's right in to cut off the strait of hormuz which is the major golf oil artery forty percent of the world's tanker shipped oil passes through that strait the u.s. said they would not tolerate any disruption of supplies which suggests that if you ran goes through with their threats we might see a full scale military showdown there but now based on the statements that we hear washington seems to think that iran is bluffing but right now you can find itself in a situation where its main source of livelihood namely oil expor

move will be easy to implement later while tehran conducts on precedented war games in waters near the strait us also maintains a naval presence in the persian gulf and says its waters will stop the iranians from blocking the passage and tehran has reportedly already detected an american aircraft in the vicinity this will analyst chris bambery believes the west is putting world peace on the line and that stubbornness over sanctions. there americans could probably force using their military which in the govt would probably force open the straits of hormuz but that would mean war with iran and that would be a huge huge escalation and would threaten world peace and therefore i think the iranians are really challenging the americans sensing weakness we know that from british sources that there are plans to attack iran and israel is egging all america to attack iran over the question of its nuclear program but i think again in a comparison with iraq in two thousand and three iran is in a much stronger position a reunion nationalism should not be should not be underestimated you know even important armitage about we rally to support iraq given. britain

persian gulf. this follows the iranian exercises close to the straits and statements from tehran that they would close it if the west imposes sanctions. we got more details from washington. >> the comment from the pentagon and the u.s. fleet followed the statement from the iranian vice- president that iran could close the strait of hormuz if sanctions were put on iranian oil output. it was a relatively measured statement from the pentagon. they would not tolerate any closure of the strait of hormuz. they found the rising temperature on tensions on helpful -- unhelpful. they said there was no action against the u.s. fleet and they are aware that the iranians are carrying out exercises in the strait of hormuz. they said they would not tolerate any closure in the strait of hormuz and they lay down a fairly clear marker for iran. >> does the pentagon believe that they can close the strait and keep it close to? >> i am not sure that they would like to say what they believe about iran possibilities in the strait of hormuz. clearly, iran thinks that they can. but they would like to say believe about iran's i

persian gulf. this follows the iranian exercises close to the straits and statements from tehran that they would close it if the west imposes sanctions. we got more details from washington. >> the comment from the pentagon and the u.s. fleet followed the statement from the iranian vice- president that iran could close the strait of hormuz if sanctions were put on iranian oil output. it was a relatively measured statement from the pentagon. they would not tolerate any closure of the strait of hormuz. they found the rising temperature on tensions on helpful -- unhelpful. they said there was no action against the u.s. fleet and they are aware that the iranians are carrying out exercises in the strait of hormuz. they said they would not tolerate any closure in the strait of hormuz and they lay down a fairly clear marker for iran. >> does the pentagon believe that they can close the strait and keep it close to? >> i am not sure that they would like to say what they believe about iran possibilities in the strait of hormuz. clearly, iran thinks that they can. but they would like to say believe about iran's i

persian gulf. those comments follow iranian naval exercises close to the straight and statements from tehran that they could close it if the west imposed new sanctions. >> in the waters of iran, a surge of the activity. two jets passed overhead. the this is just an iranian naval drill, but it was taking place in sensitive international waters even before iran toughened its line. the route -- the road centers on the strait of hormuz, used by a third of the world's tanker traffic. iran has threatened to close at two oil shipments in the face of u.n. sanctions. this man, said to be a rear admiral in the iranian navy, quoted by one national tv station as saying closing the street was very easy for the naval forces. but on wednesday, washington up its rhetoric. the pentagon said any attempt to close the strait of hormuz will not be tolerated. it also said no aggressive hostile action has been reported toward u.s. vessels in the area. iran is a big oil exporter, the fourth largest producer of crude in the world. it is not the first time it has sent strong warnings of closure of these vital waters. but the c

persian gulf. the threat is in response to the west's new sanctions on tehran's oil exports because of its suspected nuclear program. >>> the u.s. navy says it is ready to counter any attempts to block the freedom of navigation. >>> get ready for politics. it's less than a week before the iowa caucus and republican michele bachmann's campaign chairman in iowa has defected. >> ken sorenson personally told me he was offered a large sum of money to go to work for the ron paul campaign. >> sorenson endorsed ron paul in des moines yesterday just hours after attending a bachmann campaign event. a spokesman from the ron paul campaign denied sorenson was paid to switch sides. >>> this comes as support for bachmann slides among iowa republicans. the cnn poll has her in sixth place with only 9% of the vote. mitt romney holding a slim lead over a second place ron paul. the big surprise is third place rick santorum whose 16% is triple the number he had earlier this month. he has practically lived in that state. newt gingrich by the way has fallen to fourth. >>> federal charges may be filed against several bp em

than $101 a barrel and tuesday's steep upward curve followed tehran's threat to close the vital strait of hormuz at the entrance to the persian gulf if those sanctions go ahead. so why does it matter? well, about one-third of the world's seaboard supply passes through that waterway. and iran's clearest signal yet. one energy boss gave richard quest his take. >> i am concerned because there are too many threats being issued too frequently, you know. the persian gulf's a very crowded area militarily, and we could just get in an accident. that happened with the shooting of the iranian airliner some years back. >>> coming up on "world business today," the euro zone's economic woes took center stage in 2011. financial leaders get warning. the fate of the euro hangs in the balance. but will 2012 see the last of a push towards recovery? we'll take a closer look. >>> and currency spat simmers between two superpowers. will china or the united states blink first? that's all ahead on "world business today."  >>> you're looking there across the tallest j on the left-hand side of your screen there, the icc building here in hong

tehran over its nuclear program. an iranian admiral boasted on state television that closing down the only sea outlet for crucial oil fields in and around the persian gulf would be, quote, very easy for his country's naval forces. the baron-based u.s. fifth fleet said in a mistakable e-mail on wednesday that it would not allow any threat to traffic in the strait of hormuz saying, quote, any disruption will not be tolerated. >>> even with outside monitors on the ground in syria, reports of deadly new violence continues to emerge. amateur video shows what appears to be arab league monitors wearing orange vests touring the central city of homs where some of the strongest demonstrations against president bashar al assad have been taking place. at times those monitors were forced to take shelter as gunfire could be heard in the distance. activists claim government troops open fire on unarmed protesters on wednesday killing six, bringing the death toll to 39 in just two days since the monitors arrived. yesterday more than 700 detainees were freed after a human rights group accused the government of hiding the prisoners from those monitors. >>> now here's a lo

tehran over its nuclear program. an iranian admiral boasted on state television that closing down the only sea outlet for crucial oil fields in and around the persian gulf would be "very easy" for his country's naval forces. the bahrain-based u.s. 5th fleet said in an unmistakable e-mail warning wednesday that it would not allow any threat to the traffic in the strait of hormuz, vowing to protect freedom of navigation in the international waters, saying "any disruption will not be tolerated." >>> elsewhere, even with outside monitors on the ground in syria now, reports of deadly, new violence continue to emerge. activists claim government troops have killed nearly 40 people in just two days since theç monitors arrived. and yesterday, some of those monitors had to take cover themselves. neil connery of our english broadcast partner itn shows us the dramatic images. >> reporter: gunfire that goes through the streets of homs. this video shows what reportedly happened when protesters tried to reach the arab league visiting the city, but observers saw none of this to begin with. they also didn't see this. syrian forces opening fire on protesters. and yet, t

persian gulf. the iranian navy is conducting war games in the region and tehran has threatened to close oil shipping lanes from the gulf. >>> and a new fee announced by verizon wireless. the country's largest cell phone company has touched off an angry bashlash among its customers. a convenience fee. bl b ginning january 15th they'll charge by paying wireless bills on phone or on line. the fee would not apply for those who pay by check or sign up for automatic payments. >>> high-wind advisories and watches are in effect for parts of idaho, wyoming, nebraska and colorado. wind gusts could reach hurricane strength, 75 miles per hour or higher in some places. >>> in colorado, high winds and blowing snow yesterday made it tough for drivers on interstate 70. icy conditions forced the closing of some mountain passes. one man was killed when his truck slid off the cliff and flipped over. >>> and in new orleans, poor >>> this may be the last weekend you have a chance to buy a 100 watt light bulb. >> they're being phased out under a law that eventually will affect every home and business. >> reporter: it was

persian gulf. they test fired long-range missiles and the tension is growing. nbc's ali is in tehran. you. >> reporter: good morning, veronica. that's right. the iranian navy has done a series of maneuvers here in the persian gulf. they didn't fire any long-range missiles today but the head of the iran navy said that they were not going to do it today and those tests would happen in the next few days. this is also a very strategic time to be doing -- iranian oil and iran is shutting down where they are doing the military maneuvers. 35% of all of the oil transactions pass through the straits of hormuz. so it's an important place and most of the economy is tied to petro dollars. veronica? >> ali in tehran, thank you. we appreciate it. >>> let's get you back now to politics. once the gop candidate is locked down, the first family will find itself in familiar territory. not only will the commander in chief be facing a grueling campaign schedule, he'll have the pressure of presidency weighing on him as well. jody can for joins me. her new book about the first family is called "the obamas."

tehran has alarmed american officials and the world by declaring it would close the main artery for oil exports from the persian gulf if the west imposes sanctions over its nuclear program. andrea mitchell has the latest. there are several questions, but first, what is iran up to and what do you think the consequences could be for us? >> reporter: those are good questions, tamron. it could be serious. iran has made threats to shut down the strait of hormuz before but this time it could be more than bluster as tehran has military exercises near the strait and is issuing angry response to the toughest sanctions from both europe and the united states against iran's banking system and oil trade. today china weighed in, a key ally of iran, urging calm. any oil interrupted of course in the state of hormuz, the key passageway for 50 million barrels of oil a day, would shut down or severely delay 1/6 of the world's oil supply and it would be catastrophic for the u.s. and the global economy. oil prices would likely go up $25 a barrel, at least a dollar more at the pump right away. though the obama administration has ratchete

persian gulf. iran is seething over sanctions and backing up its threat by staging naval maneuvers outside of the gulf. now we have this. the pentagon today putting tehran gulf. quote, anyone who threatens to disrupt freedom of navigation in an international strait is clearly outside the community. any disruption will not be tolerated. barbara starr has been work this story for us. we also have the general with us. barbara, given the comments we're getting from pentagon officials what does it tell us how seriously the u.s. is taking iran's threat? >> let's talk about what started all of this. britain, france and germany all talking about a new embargo on iranian oil imports because of iran's nuclear program. at the same time iran is staging massive naval exercises in the north arabian sea in that vital oil shipping lane. iran is now saying that if there's an oil embargo against it it will shut down the strait for everyone. that has got the pentagon very unhappy. the u.s. navy issuing the statement about it not being tolerated. make no mistake the navy doesn't just go around issuing these statements. this is because the obama administration wants to put