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trailmonkee

(2,681 posts)
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 08:54 PM Sep 2012

Armada of British naval power massing in the Gulf as Israel prepares an Iran strike

Source: telegraph uk

An armada of US and British naval power is massing in the Persian Gulf in the belief that Israel is considering a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s covert nuclear weapons programme.

Battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines from 25 nations are converging on the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in an unprecedented show of force as Israel and Iran move towards the brink of war.

Western leaders are convinced that Iran will retaliate to any attack by attempting to mine or blockade the shipping lane through which passes around 18 million barrels of oil every day, approximately 35 per cent of the world’s petroleum traded by sea.

A blockade would have a catastrophic effect on the fragile economies of Britain, Europe the United States and Japan, all of which rely heavily on oil and gas supplies from the Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most congested international waterways. It is only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point and is bordered by the Iranian coast to the north and the United Arab Emirates to the south.

In preparation for any pre-emptive or retaliatory action by Iran, warships from more than 25 countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, will today begin an annual 12-day exercise.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9545597/Armada-of-British-naval-power-massing-in-the-Gulf-as-Israel-prepares-an-Iran-strike.html

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Armada of British naval power massing in the Gulf as Israel prepares an Iran strike (Original Post) trailmonkee Sep 2012 OP
Quite the contrast between this article and the one just posted before it DJ13 Sep 2012 #1
These are trials - it was posted earlier this week I think. xchrom Sep 2012 #2
I don't think it's expected to make Iran docile... HereSince1628 Sep 2012 #5
Just a matter dipsydoodle Sep 2012 #35
"an annual 12-day exercise"? arcane1 Sep 2012 #3
the same exercise is done every year just like this Viva_La_Revolution Sep 2012 #20
"annual 12-day exercise" bhikkhu Sep 2012 #4
I wonder if it's partly as a deterrent to Israel Voice for Peace Sep 2012 #7
So if Israel nukes Iran postulater Sep 2012 #6
Why would we support an aggressor in that case? Its calle AIPAC jerseyjack Sep 2012 #19
So is this why Romney obsesses about "energy independence"? starroute Sep 2012 #8
Remember when Cheney wanted that pipeline to go from Afghanistan to the Med. sea? Booster Sep 2012 #30
Yea ...woopy ...it's the end of the world. L0oniX Sep 2012 #9
a young cheney heaven05 Sep 2012 #41
Obama to meet with Bibi Netanyahu ? Smickey Sep 2012 #10
See? It's all about the oil... AntiFascist Sep 2012 #11
So this is something we do every year? Adsos Letter Sep 2012 #12
Reforger was an actual annual training exercise for 24 years, not a military operation like this. braddy Sep 2012 #27
So it isn't done annually? Adsos Letter Sep 2012 #31
I don't see it as being like Reforger, this seems like a serious, aggressive, deployment, on war braddy Sep 2012 #33
I wonder if... hrmjustin Sep 2012 #13
This doesn't sound good at all. On the positive side this is an election year craigmatic Sep 2012 #14
"Battleships"? What battleships? Grave Grumbler Sep 2012 #15
Unless they've dragged along HMS Warrior sofa king Sep 2012 #21
Battleships? We don't need no stinking battleships! L0oniX Sep 2012 #46
Is This the Beginning of the "Oil Games?" triplepoint Sep 2012 #16
The right thing to do would be to shoot down the aggressor Israeli planes to protect the straights on point Sep 2012 #17
agreed postulater Sep 2012 #23
Agree. Al Qaeda is running amouk and Israel wants to attack Al Qaead's enemy, Iran. McCamy Taylor Sep 2012 #24
Agree to the max....nft plethoro Sep 2012 #32
So Netanyahu wants to destroy Obama? wants Romney in power desperately, the timing would robinlynne Sep 2012 #18
Won't work. Obama scores higher on foreign policy. If there is a war, Romney goes down in flames. McCamy Taylor Sep 2012 #25
Israel is out of its mind. Unless they are doing it for the oil companies, to raise prices. McCamy Taylor Sep 2012 #22
Netanyahu clearly wants to start a ME crisis in order to influence the kestrel91316 Sep 2012 #26
That was my first reaction. Bibi wanted a meeting. Obama didn't. cr8tvlde Sep 2012 #29
I agree JustAnotherGen Sep 2012 #47
US, Allies Set to Launch Anti-Mine Naval Exercises struggle4progress Sep 2012 #28
So much ignorance, bigotry, and war-mongering lies. Behind the Aegis Sep 2012 #34
Didn't know we still had enough ships here in the UK to amass. dipsydoodle Sep 2012 #36
Turns out 4 minesweepers and a logistics ship (plus one destroyer 'in the region') muriel_volestrangler Sep 2012 #38
"everyone knows a battleship takes up 5 squares" BumRushDaShow Sep 2012 #39
Iran has been training up its ninja cats too. dipsydoodle Sep 2012 #43
LMFAO L0oniX Sep 2012 #45
Accuracy is optional oldsarge54 Sep 2012 #37
If we fire just one missile in the direction at Iran, I'm staying home on election day. nt Comrade_McKenzie Sep 2012 #40
if some leaders heaven05 Sep 2012 #42
OH NOES ...it's the end of the world. pffft L0oniX Sep 2012 #44

xchrom

(108,903 posts)
2. These are trials - it was posted earlier this week I think.
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:02 PM
Sep 2012

But it still begs the question - why this show of force?

How does this want to make Iran docile?

Does that even work?

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
5. I don't think it's expected to make Iran docile...
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:10 PM
Sep 2012

I think it's expected to show Iran that other nations can operate freely inside the Iranian 'sphere of influence'.

If anything that is likely to frustrate and anger Iran.

Viva_La_Revolution

(28,791 posts)
20. the same exercise is done every year just like this
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 11:34 PM
Sep 2012

and every year we get the same articles trying to scare people into thinking war is about to break out.

It's actually a delayed and scaled down version of the usual yearly drill..

Exclusive: U.S. Scales Back Military Exercise with Israel, Affecting Potential Iran Strike

The reductions are striking. Instead of the approximately 5,000 U.S. troops originally trumpeted for Austere Challenge 12, as the annual exercise is called, the Pentagon will send only 1,500 service members and perhaps as few as 1,200. Patriot antimissile systems will arrive in Israel as planned, but the crews to operate them will not. Instead of two Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense warships being dispatched to Israeli waters, the new plan is to send one, though even the remaining vessel is listed as a “maybe,” according to officials in both militaries.

http://world.time.com/2012/08/31/exclusive-u-s-scales-back-military-exercise-with-israel-affecting-potential-iran-strike/#ixzz26bHdUJ71

bhikkhu

(10,708 posts)
4. "annual 12-day exercise"
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:07 PM
Sep 2012

of course, it would be the perfect cover for a massive assault on Iran, but I think first that if this were the case, the warships of nations not sympathetic to war with Iran would be excluded. To use the exercises as a trick would be a stretch on alliances unless a rather large number of secret agreements had been made.

 

Voice for Peace

(13,141 posts)
7. I wonder if it's partly as a deterrent to Israel
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:17 PM
Sep 2012

as a blockade probably is a major reason why much of the
world doesn't want Israel to instigate a war.

postulater

(5,075 posts)
6. So if Israel nukes Iran
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:12 PM
Sep 2012

pre-emptively as the aggressor, then we're there to bomb them?

Why would we support an aggressor in that case?

starroute

(12,977 posts)
8. So is this why Romney obsesses about "energy independence"?
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:20 PM
Sep 2012

It has nothing to doing with providing for the future, the environment, or the needs of the economy. It's just about being about to get along without those Persian Gulf oil shipments so that the Neocons can have a free hand to run amok in the Middle East.

Interesting.

Booster

(10,021 posts)
30. Remember when Cheney wanted that pipeline to go from Afghanistan to the Med. sea?
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:22 AM
Sep 2012

It would have to go thru Iraq and Iran and I think Syria. I think this is why the evil Cheney has raised his ugly voice lately. You can bet Halliburton plays a part in this somehow.

Smickey

(3,226 posts)
10. Obama to meet with Bibi Netanyahu ?
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:27 PM
Sep 2012

The article indicates a meeting today. I thought the Pres was not available? Has anyone heard about this meeting?

Adsos Letter

(19,459 posts)
12. So this is something we do every year?
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:49 PM
Sep 2012

Sounds like the equivalent of the REFORGER exercises we used to do yearly in Europe during the 70's-80's. The Soviets had their equivalent exercise/deployments. An attack of one against the other under the guise of said exercise was always factored in to tactical defense studies.

I very seriously doubt that Israel will try anything against Iran under cover of this exercise.

 

braddy

(3,585 posts)
27. Reforger was an actual annual training exercise for 24 years, not a military operation like this.
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:11 AM
Sep 2012

Europe depended on the American ability to move troops from here to there, and that had to be practiced annually, it sounds like you participated, like me, so you know how little manpower was actually moved, and how difficult an operation it was. The annual training exercise ran almost 25 years, from 1969 through 1993.

This is a 25 nation show of force, an active military operation, called up as a military reaction to a sudden threat.

 

braddy

(3,585 posts)
33. I don't see it as being like Reforger, this seems like a serious, aggressive, deployment, on war
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 01:57 AM
Sep 2012

footing.

Quote-"Battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines from 25 nations are converging on the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in an unprecedented show of force as Israel and Iran move towards the brink of war."
"Western leaders are convinced that Iran will retaliate to any attack by attempting to mine or blockade the shipping lane through which passes around 18 million barrels of oil every day, approximately 35 per cent of the world’s petroleum traded by sea."

Maybe one of the navy guys can tell us which annual exercise this is.

"In preparation for any pre-emptive or retaliatory action by Iran, warships from more than 25 countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, will today begin an annual 12-day exercise."

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
13. I wonder if...
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:50 PM
Sep 2012

... this tiff between Israel and the US is not a put up to throw the Iranians off the track. We will be going to war soon.

 

craigmatic

(4,510 posts)
14. This doesn't sound good at all. On the positive side this is an election year
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 09:57 PM
Sep 2012

so most of the politicians running want this to be resolved peacefully. (hopefully)

 

Grave Grumbler

(160 posts)
15. "Battleships"? What battleships?
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 10:11 PM
Sep 2012

There hasn't been a battleship in commission with any navy on Earth for the last 20 years.

 

triplepoint

(431 posts)
16. Is This the Beginning of the "Oil Games?"
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 10:26 PM
Sep 2012

Sounds like a new boobtube series for the Fall Season.....or the lead-up to a weapons test for the Military-Industrial Complex. It definitely doesn't appear to be a "Wag the Dog" exercise.
.
.
.


.

McCamy Taylor

(19,240 posts)
24. Agree. Al Qaeda is running amouk and Israel wants to attack Al Qaead's enemy, Iran.
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 11:51 PM
Sep 2012

Is Israel secretly supporting Al Qaeda? Sure looks that way.

McCamy Taylor

(19,240 posts)
25. Won't work. Obama scores higher on foreign policy. If there is a war, Romney goes down in flames.
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 11:57 PM
Sep 2012

Surely the Israelis understand that only the U.S. economy can save Romney's dying campaign? Maybe they don't.

McCamy Taylor

(19,240 posts)
22. Israel is out of its mind. Unless they are doing it for the oil companies, to raise prices.
Sat Sep 15, 2012, 11:50 PM
Sep 2012

Since everything they do lately seems designed to help the NeoCons and Big Oil, I have to assume they want to see oil prices rise sky high.

 

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)
26. Netanyahu clearly wants to start a ME crisis in order to influence the
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:03 AM
Sep 2012

US presidential election. Possibly even a false flag "terrorist" attack against the US in "retaliation" so Rmoney can proclaim that Obama cannot keep us safe.

Beware, Obama. They are laying a trap for you.

cr8tvlde

(1,185 posts)
29. That was my first reaction. Bibi wanted a meeting. Obama didn't.
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:22 AM
Sep 2012

A little stamping of the Israeli feet? Bad timing to be sure, but it sure could get ugly. Makes me wonder if the "fracas" wasn't engineered behind the scenes. Oh my, the Arabs, Persians and Jews ... just what the world needs ... Armegeddon.

But in the end, if god forbid, there is trouble, Americans will stick with Obama for sure. He's very smart and Hillary is in the right place, too. Thank god.

JustAnotherGen

(31,681 posts)
47. I agree
Mon Sep 17, 2012, 04:25 PM
Sep 2012

And I'm getting 'numb' towards Israel - detached. Cold. Don't care. Not the people - there are good people there. But truthfully - their leadership just suuuuuuuuuuuucks.

struggle4progress

(118,032 posts)
28. US, Allies Set to Launch Anti-Mine Naval Exercises
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 12:16 AM
Sep 2012

By ADAM SCHRECK Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates September 13, 2012 (AP)

The United States and more than two dozen allies are gearing up for the largest naval exercise ever in the Middle East focused on countering the threat of anti-ship mines. A wary Iran says it will be watching closely.

The maneuvers starting next week are the latest flexing of American military muscle in and around the Persian Gulf, even as Washington tries to convince ally Israel that diplomacy and sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran to scale back its nuclear program need more time to work.

U.S. Navy officials insist that the anti-mine exercise is not about any specific country or a response to Iranian threats to shut the narrow Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf, the route for one-fifth of the world's oil.

But the drills will likely be perceived around the world as a challenge to Tehran, which has thousands of anti-ship mines it could deploy to disrupt shipping and drive up oil prices in response to any airstrike on its uranium enrichment facilities. The U.S. and several of its allies accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran says its atomic program is solely for peaceful purposes ...

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-allies-set-launch-anti-mine-naval-exercises-17228185

Behind the Aegis

(53,823 posts)
34. So much ignorance, bigotry, and war-mongering lies.
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 02:01 AM
Sep 2012

Who says right-wing rags aren't acceptable for sites like DU?! P'shaw!

muriel_volestrangler

(101,146 posts)
38. Turns out 4 minesweepers and a logistics ship (plus one destroyer 'in the region')
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 07:05 AM
Sep 2012

is now an "armada of British naval power". I think the Telegraph is trying to cheer up its old buffer readership on a Sunday morning with images of Britannia still ruling the waves. Notice they also promoted US cruisers, frigates, destroyers and assault ships to the category of 'battleship'. I mean, everyone knows a battleship takes up 5 squares ...

Added bonus for the old buffers who make it on to the internet - not one, but two sidebar stories on "Iran trains thousands of female ninjas"!

oldsarge54

(582 posts)
37. Accuracy is optional
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 06:32 AM
Sep 2012

Battleships? There are currently no battleships in commission at this time, except for "museum" pieces that are in commission for the purposes. I don't think the Brits have a full aircraft carrier left either, just a few "jump jet" cruisers. Now it is time for annual exercises, so it is speculation that it is for the purposes for supporting or blocking (remember Suez?) an independent Israeli action. The Gulf is important, not to mention that mines can really make a first class disaster. Was it in the Clancy's novel "Red Storm Rising" or Sir John Hackett's "1984, the Third World War" that the lead up to the war was a mine striking a LNG tanker?

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
42. if some leaders
Sun Sep 16, 2012, 10:21 AM
Sep 2012

want to get a few hundred million human beings vaporized, they will do it no matter the protest or whether it is wrong. Most leaders, I feel, could give less than a damn about the unwashed masses. People like oh yeah, they're on the republican ticket asking to lead all of us to fiery hell in the name of saving us. The right wing has something to do with this war mongering headline scare. I have no doubt about it. Yep, Dear Mr. President, tread carefully.

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