Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Closing the Strait of Hormuz is Iranian bluster
Coach is Right ^ | 12/31/2011 | Jim Emerson

Posted on 12/31/2011 9:11:55 AM PST by Oldpuppymax

In reaction to proposed sanctions over its nuclear program, Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz cutting off the flow of crude from the Middle East.

Iran’s Chief of the Navy, Admiral Habibollah Sayyari boasted that “Closing the of Hormuz for Iran’s armed forces is really easy.” He was overhyping the capability of his navy in advance of a planned 10 day Iranian navel exercise in the strait.

Iran did state that “it would stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf if sanctions were imposed on its crude exports.”

This was the second such threat made by that regime in a week. The Republic’s Navy has no plans to close it in the immediate future, but has even been so bold as to declare that the United States was in no position to “give orders” concerning the use of the Strait.

If Iran intended to close the Strait she can raise havoc by closing the narrowest point of the strait (21 miles) with attack boats and Chinese made land based anti-shipping missiles.

Nevertheless, those missiles they do possess are dated or locally manufactured copies of dated weapons. Like all Iranian weapons program there is no reason to believe they will work as advertised.

The Russian built air defense missiles systems Iran has are another story. They cannot be taken lightly. This waterway is a choke point for a sixth of the world’s daily oil supply.

Even if the attempt to disrupt the transport of oil by military means fails, Iran could still...

(Excerpt) Read more at coachisright.com ...


TOPICS: Government; History; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS: hormuz; iran; navy; oil
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

1 posted on 12/31/2011 9:12:10 AM PST by Oldpuppymax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Oldpuppymax

Coach is underestimating how dovish the US liberals are.


2 posted on 12/31/2011 9:13:10 AM PST by Olog-hai
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldpuppymax

I think I remember the Iranians trying this in the 80’s, and President Reagan ordered our navy to sink their whole navy, and it was done.


3 posted on 12/31/2011 9:13:41 AM PST by Daveinyork
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldpuppymax

I am not one who believes that either of the Bush administrations went to war for oil despite the constant accusations of the left. But it would be a supreme irony if the Iranians try to shut down the Strait of Hormuz and we call their bluff while utterly destroying their so-called Navy. It would be, pure and simple, a war for oil.

Not that Obama has the cojones for it, but the irony would be a thing of beauty.


4 posted on 12/31/2011 9:16:45 AM PST by newheart (When does policy become treason?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldpuppymax

“10 day Iranian navel exercise” - Wow......10 days.....”Achmed! There is an infidel ship! Push the belly button!”


5 posted on 12/31/2011 9:16:52 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldpuppymax
Our weak pResident has embolden the muzzies.
6 posted on 12/31/2011 9:19:42 AM PST by mountainlion (I am voting for Sarah after getting screwed again by the DC Thugs.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: newheart

“Not that Obama has the cojones for it,...”
He hasn’t said word one about this is on national TV.


7 posted on 12/31/2011 9:20:53 AM PST by duckman (Herman 2012 was Zero's worst night mare.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Daveinyork

1988 Operation Preying Mantis only sunk 1 FFG, 1 PTG, and 3 PBs.

Not even close to the entire navy. At that time they had 3 DDs, 4 FFGs, 11 PTGs, and about 100 PBs.

I know, I was there for it. I&W watch, CJTFME/CMEF.

Every time they hold these exercises [1-2 times a year], this claim is made. It is their way of causing a spike in oil prices - remember that oil is their economy...


8 posted on 12/31/2011 9:31:18 AM PST by DJ Elliott (Montrose Toast Blog)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Daveinyork
That's what I was thinking....

It'd be too bad if a bunch of big rocks suddenly ripped out the bottoms of all of Iran's ships.

9 posted on 12/31/2011 9:31:44 AM PST by Paladin2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: duckman
He hasn’t said word one about this is on national TV.

Of course not. Higher oil prices fit nicely with his agenda.

10 posted on 12/31/2011 9:36:14 AM PST by newheart (When does policy become treason?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Daveinyork
You may be confusing two incidents. After the bombing of the Beirut Marine barracks it was determined that the terrorists were supported by Iran. Reagan retaliated by sinking virtually the entire Iranian Navy.

The other episode was the "tanker wars" during the Iraq-Iran war. Both sides took to attacking freighters in the Strait. The US took the side of Iraq, despite Iraq's Exocet attack on the Stark. However, when Iran attacked US-flagged tankers, the navy counter-attacked and sank a pair of Iranian cruisers.

If that whole era sounds confused and contradictory, it was. But one lesson that came out of that war is relevent today. In the 1980's Reagan made clear that any attempt by Iran to close the Strait would be seen as an act of war and dealt with accordingly. Iraq actually tried to bait Iran into closing the Strait--knowing that the US would come down decisively with both feet--but Iran was smart enough then not to take the bait. Are they as smart now as they were then? We'll see.

11 posted on 12/31/2011 9:41:50 AM PST by hinckley buzzard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: hinckley buzzard

I think Iran has a global corner on the overstating both ability and intentions market.


12 posted on 12/31/2011 10:02:16 AM PST by X-spurt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Oldpuppymax
Iran’s Chief of the Navy, Admiral Habibollah Sayyari boasted that “Closing the of Hormuz for Iran’s armed forces is really easy.”

Yes, for a while. How long could they maintain that blockade? A few hours, couple of days, a week? At the end, they'll have lost face, and every naval unit they have. So sure, a one-shot transient event is possible, but not useful other than for political bluster.

13 posted on 12/31/2011 10:20:00 AM PST by ThunderSleeps (Stop obama now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ThunderSleeps

To: Oldpuppymax

I think I remember the Iranians trying this in the 80’s, and President Reagan ordered our navy to sink their whole navy, and it was done....

I thought that was the LYBIAN navy, both of Gadahfi’s destroyers.


14 posted on 12/31/2011 10:31:24 AM PST by DaveA37
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: X-spurt
I think Iran has a global corner on the overstating both ability and intentions market.

Don't forget about North Korea and Venezuela. They both have significant market share.

15 posted on 12/31/2011 10:37:52 AM PST by SC Swamp Fox (Aim small, miss small.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Oldpuppymax

We need a new route into Afghanistan, anyway.


16 posted on 12/31/2011 10:57:41 AM PST by Sundog (When Hollywood defines reality there is no reality.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sundog

we have one. pamir hwy through the stans.


17 posted on 12/31/2011 11:15:17 AM PST by RitchieAprile
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Oldpuppymax

Iran will not attempt to close the strait.

Next.


18 posted on 12/31/2011 11:39:11 AM PST by SaxxonWoods (....The days are long, but the years are short.....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SC Swamp Fox

You are right and we should not leave out the Ruskis as they like to pretend no one knows they build junk, but there’s still something about riding on those Magic Carpets that cranks up the Persian imagination world-class.


19 posted on 12/31/2011 12:29:24 PM PST by X-spurt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Oldpuppymax

Bfl


20 posted on 12/31/2011 1:22:01 PM PST by llandres (Forget the "New America" - restore the original one!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson