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Iran begins naval drills in Strait of Hormuz
Aljazeera ^ | December 25,2011

Posted on 12/26/2011 8:31:41 AM PST by Hojczyk

Iran's navy has started a 10-day drill in international waters near the strategic oil route that passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The exercises, dubbed "Velayat 90", could bring Iranian ships into proximity with United States Navy vessels in the area. "Velayat" is a Persian word for "supremacy" and it is currently used as a title of deference for the Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The war games cover a 2,000km stretch of sea off the Strait of Hormuz, northern parts of the Indian Ocean and into the Gulf of Aden, near the entrance to the Red Sea, state television reported.

The drill will be Iran's latest show of strength in the face of mounting international criticism over its controversial nuclear programme, which the West fears is aimed at developing atomic weapons. Tehran denies those charges, insisting the program is for peaceful purposes only.

Adm Habibollah Sayyari, the navy chief, said Iran is holding the drill to show off its prowess and defense capabilities.

"To show off its might, the navy needs to be present in international waters. It's necessary to demonstrate the navy's defense capabilities," state TV quoted Sayyari as saying.

Sayyari said submarines, surface-to-sea missile systems, missile-launching vessels, torpedoes and drones will be employed in the maneuvers.

Strategic waterway

The Strait of Hormuz is of strategic significance as the passageway for about a third of the world's oil tanker traffic. Beyond it lie vast bodies of water, including the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The US Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet is also active in the area, as are warships of several other countries that patrol for pirates there.

Iran regularly holds war games and has also been active in fighting piracy. Both the US and Israel have not ruled out a military option

I

(Excerpt) Read more at aljazeera.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 12/26/2011 8:31:43 AM PST by Hojczyk
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To: Hojczyk

Let the Naval games begin!


2 posted on 12/26/2011 8:32:48 AM PST by NY Attitude (Make love not war but be prepared for either.)
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To: Hojczyk

3 posted on 12/26/2011 8:36:22 AM PST by apastron (I miss the good old days - when bankers just jumped out of a window...)
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To: Hojczyk

If a US sub torpedoes an Iranian sub in the Straights of Hormuz, would anyone notice?


4 posted on 12/26/2011 8:37:28 AM PST by theDentist (fybo; qwerty ergo typo : i type, therefore i misspelll)
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To: Hojczyk

Destroy every sub they have, and then deny it. Shadow every paddle boat they put on the surface, just to let them know what a navy is


5 posted on 12/26/2011 8:39:18 AM PST by Figment
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To: Hojczyk

I have an idea, but I better not post it where the terrorists could read and copy it...lol.

Imho, this is the last thing Iran should be doing. It’s stupid.


6 posted on 12/26/2011 8:47:03 AM PST by khnyny (Our government has become Hal in "2001 A Space Odyssey")
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To: NY Attitude

An old story that floats around every now and then;

Heard over guard channel;

“Unidentified aircraft, you are violating iranian airspace.”

“We are a US aircraft operating in neutral airspace.”

“ Unidentified aircraft, leave the area immediately or we
will send our fighters.”

“We are United States Marine Corps F-18’s, send them up, we’ll wait.”

No reply


7 posted on 12/26/2011 8:49:56 AM PST by maine yankee (I got my Governor at 'Marden's')
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To: theDentist

Doubtful.


8 posted on 12/26/2011 8:51:04 AM PST by Tallguy (It's all 'Fun and Games' until somebody loses an eye!)
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To: maine yankee

Love it. Thanks for sharing.


9 posted on 12/26/2011 8:51:18 AM PST by NY Attitude (Make love not war but be prepared for either.)
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To: Hojczyk

Nothing prettier than screaming, drowning Iranian sailors just after their ships have been sunk by American and Nato weaponry. Go ahead and practice. Be sure to work on your abandon ship procedures very carefully.


10 posted on 12/26/2011 8:53:55 AM PST by righttackle44 (I may not be much, but I raised a United States Marine)
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To: Hojczyk

time for some mysterious naval explosions


11 posted on 12/26/2011 8:59:11 AM PST by paul51 (11 September 2001 - Never forget)
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To: Hojczyk

Once they get a nuke, you can bet your beans that they will want to hit Israel AND if possible hit a US carrier in the gulf. Sinking a nuke US carrier would be huge for international terrorism and gee-had world wide. It is a long shot, yes, but so was Pearl Harbor and 9-1-1. Anything can happen.


12 posted on 12/26/2011 9:11:42 AM PST by RetiredArmy (The End of Days draws near. In this time, you should be drawing closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.)
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To: Hojczyk

This is the first closing of a “sea gate” in quite awhile.The last time I believe it was Suez back in the 70’s. Come to think of it the islamists have the ability to close a number of other sea gates now.


13 posted on 12/26/2011 9:15:26 AM PST by fella ("As it was before Noah, so shall it be again.")
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To: Hojczyk

There will be “incidents.”


14 posted on 12/26/2011 10:35:28 AM PST by YHAOS (you betcha!)
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To: Hojczyk

“The exercises, dubbed “Velayat 90”, could bring Iranian ships into proximity with United States Navy vessels in the area.”


one of these days there will be an accident that
will draw the US into a war with iran.


15 posted on 12/26/2011 10:37:20 AM PST by indpndtguy
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To: Hojczyk

During this exercise, the Iranians plan to show off their superior tech and elint - to disrupt the US battle groups comms. They are confident now that they have captured a US drone that they have the superior tech and can overcome US weapons and stealth tech as well.

“They have won control of secret US cyber technology and are now capable of overpowering the advanced military and intelligence systems aboard US aircraft carriers, warships and fighter-bomber jets.” - debkafile.


16 posted on 12/26/2011 11:03:45 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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To: theDentist

>>If a US sub torpedoes an Iranian sub in the Straights of Hormuz, would anyone notice?<<

Blup blup blup


17 posted on 12/26/2011 11:53:13 AM PST by servantboy777
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To: Hojczyk
I think it absolutely hilarious that the Iranians threaten to shutdown the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic.

The goal in their minds would be to set off an economic chain reaction that might reverberate across the globe by sinking tankers in the channel to inhibit the flow of crude.

Sounds good in theory.

Problem being, when fire and brimstone begins to rain down on top of Iran, all the capabilities they believe themselves to operate will be out of commission within the first couple of days.

Their ships will port after a long week of naval exercises, then remain at the bottom of the port...forever.

The Persians think too highly of their capability. Frankly, I wouldn't mind not only neutralizing Iran's nuke threat, but to lob a few extreeez in there just for a lil 79 payback.

18 posted on 12/26/2011 12:02:06 PM PST by servantboy777
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To: Hojczyk

Iron Bottom Sound, the sequel.

I bet Iranian sailors secretly curse Achmydinnerjacket and the Id’atoldya.


19 posted on 12/26/2011 1:12:51 PM PST by Molon Labbie (Occupiers- The world is watching....and alternatively laughing and vomiting)
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To: paul51

Would not surprise me to learn the Iranians have sacrificed their navy in order to sucker us into a war with China or Russia.


20 posted on 12/27/2011 9:12:36 AM PST by cliffco
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