Posted on 01/07/2008 10:27:59 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
US Navy commanders were moments away from firing on Iranian attack ships during a skirmish in the Straits of Hormuz, it has emerged.
A Pentagon spokesman revealed that five Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy boats harrassed and provoked three US ships in the narrow waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf at the weekend.
|
|
|
The Iranian craft came within 200 yards of the US vessels, which were sailing in international waters.
The Iranian provocations included disregarding warnings to pull back, dropping mysterious objects in the path of the US ships and a hostile radio transmission.
The Pentagon said a radio message warned: "I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes."
The Iranian boats pulled away as a US Navy captain gave his crew orders to open fire.
"Five small boats were acting in a very aggressive way, charging the ships, dropping boxes in the water in front of the ships and causing our ships to take evasive manoeuvres," the Pentagon official said.
"There were no injuries but there very well could have been."
The incident further clouds US judgements about Iran's strategic intentions in the Persian Gulf. Tensions over Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons have seen the US navy and its Iranian counterparts move to a tense stand-off.
A US-led coalition has steadily built up its firepower in the sensitive strait and Iranian commanders manoeuvre dangerously in response.
In March, Iran seized 15 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines in the Gulf and accused them of trespassing in Iranian territory while they inspected a merchant vessel. The Government maintained that they were in Iraqi waters.
The British personnel were held for almost two weeks before being freed in what Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said was a "gift" to the British people.
Iran's Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment on the Pentagon's claims, first reported on CNN.
Why are these guys always calling their troops “elite” revolutionary guards when in battle they will get shredded like Saddam’s elite troops did??
It’s a Persian thing!
Isn't 200 yards a bit close in for the 5-inch? Can it depress low enough at that range? I would imagine CIWIS would be better at that range for that type of target. Even though it is designed for anti-missle it can target surface objects.
I don’t think we are heading for a recession but the only one that benefits from Iranian stunts like this is Iran when oil prices spike and they make a billion more. Iran is doing it for one reason, money and will continue to do it till we send a clear message that will result in consequences.
Yes, indeed. Fires horizontal with the water just like the good old days of Spanish galleons and buckaneers.
fyi
Has anyone read Vince Flynn’s latest novel “Protect and Defend”?
Seem like a script torn right from his newly printed novel.
Simple enough picture but not even close to reality.
*******************EXCERPT Intro************************
For this system to work, the Americans must prevent any power from dominating the Persian Gulf while retaining the ability to protect the safe passage of ships through its waters.
“BREAKING something about a couple Navy jets down in Gulf”
Top of the hour news said it was a collision between the two. The aviators are OK
What’s not reality? Iran making more money when oil prices spike due to their own actions? That’s a given and these Iranian stunts will continue till the US puts an end to it.
My Prayers go out to them. I appreciate their sacrifice to our nation.
Thanks...A midair? Damn....
Maybe, but prices didn’t spike but dropped $3 and counting. You have a complex oil business and Iran is not even one of the top majors.
bingo!
Absolutely. Western navies are tied down by their ROE.
The ROE should have meant these boats were sunked seconds later.
Is that a new secret military weapon designed to make the enemy collapse in laughter?
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.