Blair convenes Cobra team as crisis in Iran escalates

scotsman.com ^ | 25th March 2007 | BRIAN BRADY

[Alas Babylon!]

I thought the tree-cutting incident was in 1976? I remember our TI telling us in basic training that we might go to war with NK over it.

[ExSoldier]

Not '76 for sure. It was either 1977 or 1978. I know because I was at an ROTC camp each year and I got a letter from a friend not in ROTC about the incident and reflecting on my timing re my desire to pursue an army commission.

[Doohickey]

My guess is that it would be impossible for a ship of war to open fire at that range with the enemy in such close proximity to friendlies without opening up...

I see this as a tactical decision to be made by the the senior officer present. Whitehall would have no insight as to what weapon systems could or could not be brought to bear in this situation.

[No Blue States]

You sound scared.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

you're correct, I just had one of those fleeting moments when I wished adults were in charge..:(

[CurlyBill]

I'm sure the SURRENDER PARTY firmly in power now in the US legislature strongly disapproves of the British heavy-handed diplomatic efforts in this situation. After all, the British should not have been in Iraqi or Iranian waters. They didn't giiiive peeeeace a chaaaance. /sarcasm

[Stultis]

If the Iranians can hold uniformed military personnel, bearing recognizable insignia, operating under a formal command structure, carrying out a legal mission sanctioned by the United Nations, etc, as "spies;" then what's to stop Britain from detaining every and any Iranian official they can get their hands on, diplomats included, as "spies"?

[ExSoldier]

I just did a google and actually, you're correct. August 18th 1976. I wonder if there was a subsequent incident there in 1977 or 78? I seem to vaguely remember that the North Koreans later downed one of our helicopters flying along the DMZ and this was the incident which my buddy wrote of.

[CurlyBill]

...this forum used to have a more intellectual conversation about 5 years ago now all we have are abunch of chest thumping, bible thumping yahoos.

thomas16
Since Aug 20, 2004

[sure_fine]

can you say " telegraphing your punch?"

[TET1968]

Sink their fleet.
Every last pos that floats.
If a plane is in the air, divert it to Iraq or Gitmo.

Blockade that sandpit. Air & Sea. Nothing gets in or out of Iran until they apologize for the kidnappings, release the prisioners, and distribute free heating oil to any drug free family in Harlem who needs it. UK has their own oil and coal so they should receive money for what they need most.....improved dental care.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

multiple Fosterization

Ha, ha, ha! Good one.

[albee]

"Are you for real, you obviously want world war 3, you mustn't have children that would be eligible for draft in a few years. I just love all this chest pounding."

Hey Thomas.....does the 16 after your name indicate your age?

It sure sounds like it.

[Codename - Ron Benjamin]

And that something would be, of course, holding hands and singing Kumbaya.

[Mr. Mojo]

"There is nothing to be gained in provoking a confrontation, because that would be playing into their hands." - British defence official

Bullsh/t. Iran has indenialbly already provoked the confrontation. The West's "it would be playing into their hands" excuse not to give Iran what it has coming is getting tired. ....and not surprisingly it appears to be encouraging them.

[Zeroisanumber]

What should the West do if Iran calls our bluff and executes these fine sailors as a show of force?

They won't be executed, and if they were it would be war.

[rollo tomasi]

Read post #36. Iran is testing our limits and working us no doubt.

I was using a hypothetical situation towards the moonbat I was responding to.

[1066AD]

Commodore Nick Lambert, frantically radioed back to his own top brass for instructions.

Hard to believe the CO had no discretion ?
A Nelsonian approach might have been better "What signal" etc.

[1066AD]

given a blank check by the public

You should see comments in lefty UK papers - this is all a setup by US/UK to attack Iran for OIL, "Gulf of Tonkin" etc. Unbelievable.

[TruthConquers]

I was thinking the same thing. There is another thread where the Iranians are threatening to hold a trial and execute the 15 British soldiers. If they do that, then the 15 Iranians that do get rounded up by Britian should be executed, too.