HEY IRAN, DON'T MESS WITH DICK

ANDY SOLTIS

May 12, 2007 -- Vice President Dick Cheney delivered a tough new warning to Iran yesterday - from the deck of an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf in a show of U.S. strength.
Cheney vowed that America and its allies would prevent Iran from "dominating this region" and cutting off vital oil shipments.
"We'll keep the sea lanes open," a defiant Cheney said from the hangar deck of the USS John C. Stennis as it cruised about 150 miles off the Iranian coast.
Earlier this year President Bush ordered the Stennis and a second carrier battle group to take residence in the Gulf. Cheney made clear they're there as a warning to Tehran.
"We're sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike," he said.
The Bush administration accuses Iran of arming Iraqi insurgents, trying to develop its own nuclear weapons and in general seeking to become the dominating force in the Gulf.
Cheney hinted that Iran could try to exercise its power by closing the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf passageway for about a quarter of the world's oil shipments.
Cheney made his comments during a Mideast tour designed in part to rally Arab support for the new Iraqi government and for a tough stance against Iran.
Today he is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia, which has been cool to the U.S.-backed government in Baghdad.
Cheney flew to the Stennis by helicopter. Later he stood in front of five F-18 Super Hornet fighters and a huge American flag in the cavernous hangar deck as he vowed to hold firm in Iraq.
"Success in Iraq remains critical to our national security," Cheney told more than 3,000 crewmembers.
"We want to complete the mission, get it done right and return with honor.
"We'll stand with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We'll disrupt attacks on our own forces," he added.
Meanwhile yesterday, Iran's top nuclear negotiator took a hard line in the confrontation over its nuclear program.
Ali Larjani said compromise was impossible if the West continues to demand that Iran suspend nuclear enrichment.
Cheney's arrival in the Gulf will be followed tomorrow by a visit to the United Arab Emirates by Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Iran is competing with the United States for diplomatic favor in the emirates.

andy.soltis @nypost.com