Strait of Hormuz standoff: Iran films US aircraft carrier

telegraph.co.uk ^ | 7:51PM GMT 29 Dec 2011 | Raf Sanchez, Washington

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Iran claimed to have taken surveillance footage of a US aircraft carrier near the Strait of Hormuz as both countries raised the stakes in their standoff over the key oil route.

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Video at the link:

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The commander of Iran's navy said the reconnaissance mission was proof that his fleet had "control over the moves by foreign forces" but it was unclear what intelligence could be derived from the grainy video, which was played triumphantly on state television.

[Former Proud Canadian]

I’m kind of surprised they let this guy get this close. It looks like he was virtually in the traffic pattern.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Further :

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This afternoon, the US also announced it was selling more than 80 F-15 strike aircraft to Saudi Arabia, an American ally and Iran's main rival for military dominance in the Middle East. Without specifically naming Iran, the State Department said the sale was intended as "a strong message to countries in the region that the United States is committed to stability in the Gulf and broader Middle East."

[brownsfan]

We are weak, by virtue of our commander-in-chief.

Iran knows that. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to sink one of our carriers. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Obama apologizes to them for us having provoked the attack.

This is what it looks like when an empire crumbles.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well he is running for reelection.

[cpdiii]

One sunk tanker WOULD NOT CLOSE the Straits of Hormuz. That would be the total number Iran could sink. After one sinking the Iranian Navy would cease to exist along with all shore artillery batterys.

Sometimes I wonder is this is not what Obama is hoping for.
More panic in the oil markets, a strong military response, and non stop rhetoric would help Obama in the next election.

Saul Alinsky and Cloward-Priven strategy is at work here, I think.

[lacrew]

“The commander of Iran’s navy said the reconnaissance mission....”

Recon mission? Couldn’t somebody in an aircraft look across the 21 mile strait, on any given day?

Its kind of like saying ‘nah nah, I filmed your ship while it went through the Panama Canal’.

[cranked]

No surprise at all: The Commander-in-Chief in this country is whom again? =.=

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[himno hero]

Absolutely.

Then to the crisis of a hormuz shutdown, the miraculous re opening thanks to Obama and his Muslim allied nations. Then the vote for Obama as world peace maker......ALL Hail Obama!

Time is way “past due” to get the devil out of OUR White House

[Robe]

You can get better pictures than that from Point Loma.

However back in the day he would have never got that close and would have been escorted by a couple of F-4s.

Notice that there isn’t any ready birds on the forward cats

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

This POS in the Oval Office will do anything that might help him with his campaign.

[Jacquerie]

Soviet Bear Bombers reconned our flattops approaching the Med during the cold war in much the same fashion, except they passed a lot lower and closer.

Left out of the film were the (I guarantee) F-18s in close trail.

[Izzy Dunne]

the reconnaissance mission was proof that his fleet had "control over the moves by foreign forces"

I filmed a car going down my street.

This is proof that I control the traffic.

[Dutch Boy]

Yes, yes it does.... /s

Iran is pulling the same crap it did when Carter was in office. They have no fear of a neutered USA. We need a guy that these morons are scared of.

[DJ Elliott]

Get a chart of the SoH.
When you transit SoH you can see land on both sides.
Oman to the south and Iran to the north.
You are in Iranian or Omani territorial waters exercising the right of free passage.
Short of actually firing - it’s their legal territory.

Note: This article is BS. This happens all the time...

[hinckley buzzard]

However close they got, is how close we let them get. Take a good picture boys because that's all you will ever do to one of these behemoths.

[joe fonebone]

Let me see if I have this straight... the iranians “Found” an object larger than a skyscraper, floating in a small body of water, where it was not even trying to hide...... hell, a 5 year old could do that

[hinckley buzzard]

The strait is 34 miles wide at its narrowest point. Its legal status is functionally as international waters, due to the right of innocent passage described in the 1982 Law of the Sea treaty. Iran disputes this, but the whole issue is seriously muddled because some countries have signed the treaty but not ratified it, we haven't signed it. Iran wants to say innocent passage only applies to those who have ratified the treaty, but they don't have any serious international support.

Meanwhile, an average of 13 loaded oil tankers transit through the strait every day, and there are numerous naval assets in the area, not just the US Navy, determined to see that the strait stays open.

If Iran would attempt to block the strait it would rapidly lose its navy and regret its impulsiveness.

[primatreat]

The “hovercraft” (target) is not using his radar. That type of radar rotates . The pictured one is still...... Bull Shit propaganda!