Blair convenes Cobra team as crisis in Iran escalates

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

[Dog]

This just went bigtime...

[Lurker]

the diplomats and the politicians were acutely aware that Tehran has built a foreign policy on disregarding diplomatic niceties.

Ah the British penchant for understatement, there's really nothing quite like it.

L

[Glenn]

"There is nothing to be gained in provoking a confrontation, because that would be playing into their hands. But neither should we let them have it all their way. We tried that before and we're still trying to get our kit back."

What a spineless uttering.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

it may be this type of incident which forces the US and Britain to finally take off the gloves and whip these peoples a**es..enough is enough..

[mutley]

"What a spineless uttering."

Tells the tale, doesn't it?

[Normal4me]

Time to start seizing Iran's oil tankers.

[Pox]

This went nowhere. The Iranians calculated that the British would not do anything other than talk, and they are correct.

[SE Mom]

I truly hope you're correct. It's one thing not to make a big deal out of little deals...it's another thing entirely not to make a big deal out of big deals. The longer the west allows itself to be blackmailed, the surer becomes it's demise.

[Nextrush]

Iran did it because of the Security Council sanctions.

[BuffaloJack]

Why isn't the USA involved? Weren't the Brits acting under a US regional commander?
Start sinking Iranian naval vessels. No civilian casualties that way. There must be a Brit or US sub in the area.

[Guenevere]

The Commander frantically radios to the 'top brass' as he sees this unfold before his eyes...

..the 'top brass' say...'Hold your fire'...

..WHY?

WHY allow this to happen without a fight????????

I can't imagine American forces allowing this to happen before their eyes and not try to stop it.

And I mean that as no disservice to the Brits, I really don't.

I am quite surprised they allowed this?

[pleikumud]

The United States should immediately bomb and destroy Iran's oil pipelines, shutting off their supply of money in the process, wrecking their economy if they don't meet our demands. Imagine that! We demand!
These tin-horned dictators seem to forget that the United States has the power to vaporize their countries in about one hour. They need to be physically reminded.

[Guenevere]

I'm also glad to read the definition of COBRA.

I thought it was some super force like our DELTA guys and wondered why they openly announced this.

[Bulldawg Fan]

Time to plant the Union Jack and/or Stars and Stripes on Kargh Island. They want to mess with a Navy, let's show them the Navies that are waiting off shore.

[veronica]

I guess we'll see now what Tony Blair is made of.

[Riley]

Time to start seizing Iran's oil tankers.

That would get their attention.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

I fear you're right..the left has infiltrated everywhere to the point that they're attempting to negotiate with people who have no interest in negotiation, but instead will keep committing more and more acts of war while the west continually gives in..

[TADSLOS]

Top level COBRA is an acronym for Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, where its meetings are held.

"Send in Commander Bond, Miss Moneypenney".

[omega4179]

We and GB are both playing a game with Iran that we can't win because they are following the rules of the low road and we are taking the high road. Sometimes you just have to drop some bombs to make a point like Ronnie did with Libya.

[DogBarkTree]

""There is nothing to be gained in provoking a confrontation, because that would be playing into their hands."
Indeed you are correct sir. It also says a lot about our gutless quotient as well.