The Middle East and Western Asia: Bit of a hot spot?

[Kauri]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

Deja vu ???

18 June 2004: The UK, Germany and France draft a resolution for the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, "deploring" Iran's lack of co-operation with inspections.
21 June 2004: Eight British sailors are held in Iran after their vessel apparently strays into Iranian waters near the border with Iraq. They are released three days later following negotiations between British diplomats and Iranian officials.

Might just be Iran showing that they will not be intimidated by all the rhetoric and threats coming from the West. Didn't they just put a nuclear symbol on their currency??
I guess we can put trade sanctions in place against them, refuse to sell them wheat etc..

 

[Atomic5]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

What exactly is the 'punishment' in Iran for what the soldiers have allegedly done?

 

[greggy]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

What exactly is the 'punishment' in Iran for what the soldiers have allegedly done?

Given that the Iranians are known for going overboard. Who knows?? Public stoning? Lets just hope commonsense prevails at the end of the day.

 

[CanOz]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

LOL. Can't imagine it happening though can you? Different situations to Hicks I suppose. Is that what you're refferring to?

In regards to Iranian territory, Blair seems to be saying that their understanding was that they were NOT in Iranian waters. If that is the case, capturing foreign soldiers/sailors in international waters could be deemed an act of war in itself.

Haven't seen the last of this one.

Yeah i was referring to Hicks and other alleged terrorists held without trial. I can just see the Iranian president playing on that a bit.

No doubt they are just a bargaining chip. Imagine thier familes.

Not good.

 

[Buster]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

In regards to Iranian territory, Blair seems to be saying that their understanding was that they were NOT in Iranian waters. If that is the case, capturing foreign soldiers/sailors in international waters could be deemed an act of war in itself.

This isn't the first time that British troops have been 'abducted' by the Iranians.. and in fact this occurred to Gold boarding party when I was on HMAS Adelaide a couple of years ago up there (thankfully, I was in Green Boarding Party).. the boys had inserted, and the RHIB's cut for it when the Iranian's turned up, leaving the boys stranded on the vessel, all Iranian guns trained on them.. Tense time for all involved. The Americans kitted out a couple of S70's to chase them off, but got recalled half way there. It all ended many hours later when our S70 extracted them..

Iran have always disputed the 'International' borders in those waters and like to press the point when they can..

Regards,

Buster

 

[Bobby]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

This kidnap is just a diversion, pre-planned setup for sure.

Danger & peril will now manifest (those that play the cards )

Bob.

 

[Sean K]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

DJ US Navy Spokesman: Received No Reports Of Gulf Conflict
28/03/2007 07:57AM AEST WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--

The U.S. Navy has received no reports of military action in the Middle East, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Cmdr. Dave Werner, a Navy spokesman, said: "We received no such reports."

The Pentagon on Tuesday also said it was unaware of any military confrontation in the Persian Gulf, a spokesman said.

Earlier Tuesday, rumors of a possible conflict in the region stemming from Iran's detention of 15 U.K. naval personnel circulated in the energy markets. The sailors and marines have been held since being seized in the Gulf on Friday.

Crude oil futures jumped nearly 8% in a matter of minutes in after hours trading Tuesday, topping $68.00 a barrel, as rumors of a military confrontation in the Gulf involving Iran spurred panic buying.

 

[CanOz]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

DJ US Navy Spokesman: Received No Reports Of Gulf Conflict
28/03/2007 07:57AM AEST WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--

The U.S. Navy has received no reports of military action in the Middle East, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Cmdr. Dave Werner, a Navy spokesman, said: "We received no such reports."

The Pentagon on Tuesday also said it was unaware of any military confrontation in the Persian Gulf, a spokesman said.

Earlier Tuesday, rumors of a possible conflict in the region stemming from Iran's detention of 15 U.K. naval personnel circulated in the energy markets. The sailors and marines have been held since being seized in the Gulf on Friday.

Crude oil futures jumped nearly 8% in a matter of minutes in after hours trading Tuesday, topping $68.00 a barrel, as rumors of a military confrontation in the Gulf involving Iran spurred panic buying.

Thanks Kennas, couldn't figure out why the sudden spike. Made a little bit on that one!

Cheers,

 

[Sean K]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

2nd update:

DJ 2nd UPDATE: No Reports Of Persian Gulf Conflict -US Officials28/03/2007 08:55AM AEST

(Adds U.K. government also saying none of its forces were attacked, in sixth paragraph)

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--U.S. officials said Tuesday they had received no reports of a military confrontation in the Persian Gulf.

Representatives from the National Security Council, the Pentagon and the U.S. Navy said they had no knowledge of military action in the Gulf involving Iran.

"We have no indication at this time of any incident in the Gulf," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

"It's just rumors, we have no reports of attacks on any naval vessels," said Cmdr. Dave Werner, a Navy spokesman.

"No one is beating down the door," said Defense Dept. spokesman James Turner.

The U.K. government, which is entering the sixth day of its standoff with Iran over 15 U.K. sailors and marines who Iran seized in disputed waters near the Persian Gulf, also said none of its forces had been attacked.

Earlier Tuesday, rumors of a possible conflict in the region circulated in the energy markets. The sailors and marines have been held since being seized in the Gulf on Friday.

Crude oil futures jumped $5 in a matter of minutes in after hours trading Tuesday, topping $68.00 a barrel, as rumors of a military confrontation in the Gulf involving Iran spurred panic buying.

Meanwhile, the U.S. kicked off a military training operation in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday that commanders said was meant to send a warning to Iran. The operations are the largest show of U.S. force in the Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

 

[robert toms]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

One of the reasons for grabbing fifteen Brits was to exchange them for Iranians taken by Britain and the US in Iraq.
At least thats what some analysts are saying.

 

[wayneL]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

OH-OH!

http://www.indiaenews.com/europe/20070327/44952.htm

US military build-up on Iran border: Russian Intelligence
From correspondents in Moscow, Russia, 10:32 PM IST

Moscow, March 27 (RIA Novosti) Russian military intelligence services are reporting a flurry of activity by US Armed Forces near Iran's borders, a high-ranking security source said Tuesday.

'The latest military intelligence data point to heightened US military preparations for both an air and ground operation against Iran,' the official said, adding that the Pentagon has probably not yet made a final decision as to when an attack will be launched.

He said the Pentagon is looking for a way to deliver a strike against Iran 'that would enable the Americans to bring the country to its knees at minimal cost.'

He also said the US Naval presence in the Persian Gulf has for the first time in the past four years reached the level that existed shortly before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, vice president of the Academy of Geopolitical Sciences, said last week that the Pentagon is planning to deliver a massive air strike on Iran's military infrastructure in the near future.

A new US carrier battle group has been dispatched to the Gulf.

The USS John C. Stennis, with a crew of 3,200 and around 80 fixed-wing aircraft, including F/A-18 Hornet and Super hornet fighter-bombers, eight support ships and four nuclear submarines are heading for the Gulf, where a similar group led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has been deployed since Dec 2006. The US is also sending Patriot anti-missile systems to the region.

 

[CanOz]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

Hmmmm, do you think they would have the balls to do this twice without UN approval? I hope they are sable rattling.

Cheers,

 

[wayneL]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

Hmmmm, do you think they would have the balls to do this twice without UN approval? I hope they are sable rattling.

Cheers,

Personally. I have zero faith in the americans at present, nothing would surprise me.

The lunatics are in control.

 

[Sean K]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

Hmmmm, do you think they would have the balls to do this twice without UN approval? I hope they are sable rattling.
Cheers,

Sabre rattling. The only thing they can do at the moment is an extended air strike. They have no ground troops to commit. Would take months of logistic build up to support them. Iran is a different beast than Iraq. There is no chance of a US direct ground attack IMO. Not for maybe a year. However, they probably have enough 'precision' bombs to keep hitting for some time. I think they will leave it to the CIA and special forces for the time being.

 

[Sean K]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

Personally. I have zero faith in the americans at present, nothing would surprise me.

The lunatics are in control.

Although, I am with you Wayne. Bush boy and the central southern bible bashing hick, must go.

 

[wayneL]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

See image\/

 

[billhill]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

Maybe the real reason bush wanted more troops in iraq is so he can close down the iran border while they lauch air and missile attacks on the country. From what i hear iran is ecconomically about to fall in a hole. Strategic destruction of core infrastructure should push them over the edge leading to a lack of money with which to continue there nuclear program and maybe forcing a change of government.

 

[mmmmining]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

Hmmmm, do you think they would have the balls to do this twice without UN approval? I hope they are sable rattling.

Cheers,

Israel will do the dirty job, or pretend to be Israeli. Preemptive strike for self-defense. US government can easily get away with it both in UN and in USA.

In UN, US just need to use the veto to steer away any UN resolution against Israel.

In USA, US don't need to pay the bill for the war, and don't need to anger the voters for deeply involved in middle-east. Get ride of Iran's nuclear capability will help calming down the US voters anti-war, anti-Bush sentiment. The war could still sponsed by US Jews. They are rich and greedy.

Once it happens, the oil price might spike to $100+. This might be the major problem.

 

[CanOz]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

See image\/

I mentioned that this morning in the oil thread. The rumour at the time was some sort of hostilities had begun. It said that only a few contracts were bought at the top. Obviously a nervous market at the moment.

Why, what are you thinking here?

Cheers,

 

[Sean K]

Re: The Middle East - Set for disaster - again

I mentioned that this morning in the oil thread. The rumour at the time was some sort of hostilities had begun. It said that only a few contracts were bought at the top. Obviously a nervous market at the moment.

Why, what are you thinking here?

Cheers,

Yep, was just the rumour of a battle in the gulf.