Iranian Gunboats Having a Go at the US Navy?

[Goldie fish]

The U.S. Department of Defense released video Tuesday that purportedly shows a confrontation January 6th between Iranian gunboats and U.S. Navy warships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Along with the video of the incident, the U.S. Navy says the tape contains audio recordings of the Iranians threatening to blow up the U.S. ships in the international waters.

After sending the threatening message, the Iranian boats charged the U.S. ships and threw items in the water in front of the boats making them maneuver around them.

U.S. commanders were said to be on the verge of firing on the much smaller Iranian boats.

Vice Admiral Kevin Cosgriff disputed Iranian claims that the incident was a "routine encounter" instead calling the run in "deadly serious."

President Bush said the incident was a "provocative act" by the Iranians.

U.S. vessels routinely pass through the Strait of Hormuz as they traverse the Persian Gulf.

Iran sees the strait as a strategic location because of its proximity to its territory.

http://www.wsav.com/midatlantic/sav/...1-08-0020.html



http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_vi...ml?id=3689314n

[yooklid]

You can bet your ass the USN will not do what the RM did last year. If the Iranians try any of that, they better be expecting some hot lead.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there
the next time the Iranians try it on, they'll get a sharper response.they won't even get time to drop boxes in the water....the Yanks have destroyed Iranian gunboats and other property before. No American skipper wants to allow his ship to become the next "USS Cole".
regards
GttC

[easyrider]

The Straits of Hormuz are 35 miles wide. Why did the US ships have to be within 15 miles of Iran?

If a Russian/Chinese/Klingon/whatever fleet steamed up Irish Sea just 15 miles off the Irish coast during a period of high tension, wouldn't our Navy take an interest?

There has been a lot of speculation recently that Bush wants to provoke an attack by the Iranians so he can unleash American forces - aircraft and missiles. Remember when Hitler invaded Poland it was because of a 'border provocation' by the Poles.

[theseaghost]

That's the funniest thing i've seen all week, a couple of small RIBS taking on an aircraft carrier.

[CTU]

The Straits of Hormuz are 35 miles wide. Why did the US ships have to be within 15 miles of Iran?

If a Russian/Chinese/Klingon/whatever fleet steamed up Irish Sea just 15 miles off the Irish coast during a period of high tension, wouldn't our Navy take an interest?

There has been a lot of speculation recently that Bush wants to provoke an attack by the Iranians so he can unleash American forces - aircraft and missiles. Remember when Hitler invaded Poland it was because of a 'border provocation' by the Poles.

International waters tend to be 12 miles out.
That would mean international waters there would be about 11 miles wide.
(35-(12+12) = 11) and I would say that area would be busy for shipping so the US navy probably had no choice but to transit 4 miles inside international waters

[ZULU]

Love to know what they threw into the water infront of the US Ships. Maybe their common sense!

[pmtts]

That's the funniest thing i've seen all week, a couple of small RIBS taking on an aircraft carrier.

I have to agree, the Iranians are certainly up for a laugh!!!

[yooklid]

Did you listen to the report they were "at least 15 miles off the shore"

[mutter nutter]

That's the funniest thing i've seen all week, a couple of small RIBS taking on an aircraft carrier.

2 guys in Dhow blew a big effing hole in the USS Cole, anyway it wasn't an aircraft carrier, it was 3 Destroyers.

[theseaghost]

2 guys in Dhow blew a big effing hole in the USS Cole, anyway it wasn't an aircraft carrier, it was 3 Destroyers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Cole_bombing

[techman1]

If a Russian/Chinese/Klingon/whatever fleet steamed up Irish Sea just 15 miles off the Irish coast during a period of high tension, wouldn't our Navy take an interest?

of course they would, they would call out the NSR from Dun Laoghaire, ribs, launch and all, and chase them away..........

[Sea Toby]

If International waters are 12 miles off the coast, and the ships were 15 miles off the coast, that would leave them 3 miles within international waters. 12+3=15. The US Navy should have sunk the boats, but we are too nice and friendly to do that. Something the Iranian boats showed is that they aren't too nice or friendly.

[Victor]

The Iranians are claiming its file footage and the audio is faked.

[Fireplace]

That's the funniest thing i've seen all week, a couple of small RIBS taking on an aircraft carrier.

It wouldn't be the first time a US carrier was taken out of action in the gulf. In February 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, USS Tripoli hit a moored Iraqi mine. She was out of the war for almost a full day.