Officials: Iranian patrol boats probe Iraqi waters

CNN ^ | 2/19/07 | Barbara Starr

[TexKat]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Iranian patrol boats have increased attempts in the last week to assess defenses near Iraqi offshore oil terminals, U.S. military officials said Monday.

The Iranian actions at the northern end of the Persian Gulf have been a subject of operational briefings for U.S. military personnel in recent days, the officials said.

The officials -- who said they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter -- said that the United States does not see the Iranian moves as aggressive or provocative. The assessment is that the probes are part of an Iranian effort to raise its military presence in the gulf.

Officials said that for several months they have seen Iranian flagged vessels attempt to approach oil terminals in the area, but activity rose last week.

[TexKat]

Story Highlights

• Officials: Iranian patrol boats recently entered Iraqi waters near oil terminals

• U.S. Navy officer says Iran trying to see what response its actions get

• Iran's actions the subject of recent U.S. military briefings, officials say

• U.S. assessment is Iran trying to raise its military presence in Persian Gulf

[Rumplemeyer]

The US Navy is going to begin a game of "vaporise the gun boat", hey Abbadabbadoo, guess what time it starts.

[Allegra]

That's right, Iran. Keep pushing.

Make our day, Iran.

[TheBattman]

Exactly why are these Iranian's not at the bottom of the sea now?

[Parley Baer]

The Iranians had no trouble taking the British boats a few years ago. I think we should be doing the same thing or just flat out sinking them. I'm tired of this PC stuff.

[Allegra]

I liked the way Reagan bombed Iranian oil platforms when Iran ignored warnings from the US about messing with Kuwaiti tankers.

After Reagan bombed a couple of those platforms, Iran left the Kuwaiti tankers alone.

[neverhillorat]

The Iranian Navy is about to double in size, as the US Navy bliws their ships in half.

[Turbo Pig]

If they are anything like they were in the early 90's (probably more belligerent now) the Iranians are constantly screwing with the US Navy stationed in the Gulf. We were taking part in Southern Watch, and every time the racetrack pattern took us up the Iranian side of the Gulf they did all kinds of things meant to provoke us.

[Allegra]

Well, gosh, then I guess we should just surrender now.

:eyeroll:

[Just sayin]

Hmmmmm, Al Qaeda boys call for more attacks on oil infrastructure and the Iranians are caught checking up on security features existing at Iraqi oil infrastructure.

They wouldn't be seeking to gain and then provide intelligence to terrorists so they can take part in operations would they? Nah, The Iranian government is only seeking peaceful technology for peaceful actions and really does want peace in he region........


Excuse me while I go puke now.

[Irish Eyes]

....The officials -- who said they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter -- said that the United States does not see the Iranian moves as aggressive or provocative.....

Not aggressive or provocative ??

[mcshot]

Let's see, We're at war and neighboring country is supplying arms and terrorists and yet their intrusion into Iraqi waters is neither "aggressive or provocative". WTF? over!
Anything less than "deep six" seems unacceptable.

No damn wonder our citizens are upset.

[M. Espinola]

How much longer do we wait before doing what is required, knowing Iranian jihadists are murdering our troops in Iraq and pumping huge amounts of money and weapons to Shi'ite terrorists all over the Middle East?

[fishergirl]

Ahh! Those were the days!