Posted on 01/26/2018 6:51:34 AM PST by SeekAndFind
For the last few years, Iranian patrol boats manned by Revolutionary Guard sailors have been harassing US naval vessels in the Persian Gulf. The boats would rush toward US ships, sometimes barely avoiding collisions. It's as if the Iranians were daring the US Navy to defend themselves.
But since August, the routine harassment of US ships from Iranian boats has ceased. And the Navy can't figure out why.
From Fox News:
The Iranian military has halted the routine harassment by its armed “fast boats” of U.S. naval vessels in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. military said, a turnabout that officials welcomed but were at a loss to explain.
The boats for at least two years would dart toward the U.S. vessels as they passed through the Persian Gulf, risking miscalculation, but haven’t done so for five months, U.S. military officials said.
The officials said they hoped the respite would continue. “I hope it’s because we have messaged our readiness…and that it isn’t tolerable or how professional militaries operate,” Army Gen. Joseph Votel, who heads U.S. Central Command, told reporters traveling with him in the Middle East this week. Iranian officials didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The fast boats, typically armed with .50 caliber machine guns and rocket launchers, have come within shooting distance of American naval vessels, encounters that grew routine even though each one presents potential dangers to American vessels transiting through international waters.
In some of the more serious incidents, Iranian crews have directed spotlights at ship and aircraft crews, potentially blinding pilots as they conduct operations, according to U.S. military officials. In one case, an Iranian boat pointed a weapon at an American helicopter flying off a Navy vessel, officials said. In the most serious incidents, U.S. vessels have fired warning shots in return.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Maybe the same reason they have only tested one mid-range missile since:
FLYNN LIKELY CURBED IRAN MISSILE TESTS: Iran appears to have scaled back testing of its nuclear-capable, medium-range ballistic missiles last year due to a threat by former national security adviser Michael Flynn, a new study by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies has found. A year ago, Flynn stepped in front of news cameras at the White House and declared that Iran was “on notice” following missile tests that the administration considered highly provocative. “It is highly likely that the administration’s threat intimidated Tehran, altering its flight-testing calculus,” wrote Behnam Ben Taleblu, the study author who is a senior Iran analyst at the foundation.
Tehran has conducted 23 total missile tests since signing the U.S.-brokered nuclear deal in 2015. The medium-range missiles were the most-tested variety and considered most threatening because they can carry a nuclear warhead and reach U.S. bases in the region, the study found. Since Flynn’s warning, Iran conducted only one test of a medium-range missile, Taleblu found. “In fact, a hardline Iranian outlet quoted an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps official who complained that the [satellite launch vehicle] test was delayed due to fears over the potential American response,” he wrote. Overall, the study found Iran cut its tests of nuclear-capable missiles in half, with 4-5 tests last year versus 10-11 tests in 2016.
excerpt: Jim Mattis: Military options for North Korea ready if needed (great summaries)
And the Navy can’t figure out why.
C’mon navy! You can’t be THAT stupid! They know that the rules have changed since we have a man in the White House that won’t take any crap from them.
Maybe because Iranian naval craft are at high risk of becoming Iranian naval reefs?
Because they will get blown out of the water.
“Why have Iranian naval craft stopped harassing US Navy ships?”
Well, clearly this has everything to do with former Present_dent Odunga’s military policy of allowing openly gay and transgenders in the military — That probably scared the Iranian’s off, because that makes the military a more fierce and feared fighting force, right.
“Why have Iranian naval craft stopped harassing US Navy ships?”
Because 50+ Tomahawks launched into Syria while Trump was enjoying a 2 scoop sundae with his Chinese guest says a lot about what Trump is capable of doing.
Its always best to kill one of your enemies while having desert with another one. Especially if you can show it to them on CCTV as it happens.
Anyone need more sprinkles?
Maybe it's because they can read newspapers:
"Trump Says Military Is ‘Locked and Loaded’ and North Korea Will ‘Regret’ Threats" - New York Times - AUG. 11, 2017
Because Obama is no longer calling the shots, which means that there may BE shots!
In one case, an Iranian boat pointed a weapon at an American helicopter flying off a Navy vessel,
That’s a direct threat, and should be met with overwhelming force to negate any future threat.
Humor me for minute here Joe, I may be having a flashback!
With the punk ass peanut farmer the Iranians knew they could get away with it and use such as a PR ploy. With The Ronald, this kind of crap will get the iranians killed.
Maybe it's just a little history repeating itself!
how’s he aim THAT? (Don’t see any sights)
"Hey Ali, Donald here. You know that cute little trick you have of running your boats at us? You might notice that we now have a policy of running over anything in our path.
Just thought you would like a heads up. All the best to the wives and kids."
Oh my, what a charming device.
Bet it makes the most charming rat-tat-tat when it is fired.
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