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.
Irans Chief of the Navy, Admiral Habibollah Sayyari boasted that Closing the of Hormuz for Irans 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 Republics 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 worlds 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 ...
Coach is underestimating how dovish the US liberals are.
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 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.
“10 day Iranian navel exercise” - Wow......10 days.....”Achmed! There is an infidel ship! Push the belly button!”
“Not that Obama has the cojones for it,...”
He hasn’t said word one about this is on national TV.
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...
It'd be too bad if a bunch of big rocks suddenly ripped out the bottoms of all of Iran's ships.
Of course not. Higher oil prices fit nicely with his agenda.
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.
I think Iran has a global corner on the overstating both ability and intentions market.
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.
To: Oldpuppymax
I think I remember the Iranians trying this in the 80s, 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.
Don't forget about North Korea and Venezuela. They both have significant market share.
We need a new route into Afghanistan, anyway.
we have one. pamir hwy through the stans.
Iran will not attempt to close the strait.
Next.
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.
Bfl
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.