Iran makes its hostage demands

AP ^

[UKrepublican]

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Iran's foreign minister says Britain must admit that its 15 sailors and marines entered Iranian waters for the standoff to be resolved.

[webheart]

Time to sacrifice a Knight.

Either you don't win much at chess, or you just aren't very good at analogies. I sure in the heck wouldn't sacrifice a knight just to be sacrificing, unless capturing another knight or a rook. I don't see how this sacrifice is up to the potential gain unless Iran has incredibly good board position. Iran has sucky board position.

[1066AD]

I wonder why the RIBs didn't just scatter in opposite directions at top speed tho' I read the Iranian boats could do 40knots, but would they have actually fired on them ?
We'll never know...

[Cindy]

Yes, well they know the Democrats would be outraged at that counter offer -- so they'll never hear that counter offer you proposed, Seadog Bytes.

[1066AD]

Read appropriate threads in the Grauniad's "Comment is Free". It's all Bush & Blair's fault and of course Iran is telling the truth etc etc. Pretty sad.

You'll need a stiff drink or antacids afterwards.

[1066AD]

That's funny. All the hitech milspec stuff but they use a $100 unit from the local outdoor store. Might even make it more believable as people can identify with that.

[justa-hairyape]

With regards to Argentina your points are correct but would just like to add that, Argentina did have a Exorcet equipped Cruiser (hull was a US ship from WWII) that was a threat to the only air projection of any kind available to the U.K. in the Falklands Theater. A U.K. Aircraft carrier. The U.K. force kept their Carrier on the far side of the Falklands. The land based Argentinian Air forces could not reach the carrier. A U.K. nuclear submarine however had to sink the Argentinian Exorcet equipped Cruiser before the retaking of the Islands began. Otherwise its missiles could have threatened the U.K. aircraft carrier. The carrier based planes eventually provided the only air support to retake the Falkland Islands. That sunken Cruiser was the pride of the Argentinian Navy. A navy that was sent back to port because it had no defense from the U.K. nuclear based submarines. That was the first ship ever sunk by the U.K. nuclear submarine crew and that crew got all kinds of grief from the British locals for doing just that do. In fact a British Politician even called them murderers. The sub was based in Scotland.

Concerning oil prices, if Iran wants war, Iran will get war. There is no way to prevent their actions concerning the straits. Oil will go up eventually whether we leave or whether we stay or whether we engage. Logistically Iran controls the Straits via land based missiles launched at oil tankers.

[WoofDog123]

"
With regards to Argentina your points are correct but would just like to add that, Argentina did have a Exorcet equipped Cruiser (hull was a US ship from WWII) that was a threat to the only air projection of any kind available to the U.K. in the Falklands Theater."

I recall this ship was the Phoenix but don't remember the name RA gave it.

I don't think Iran wants war, but rather they think the US doesn't and are going to push and push are far as they think they can without going over where they think the line is. It is a strategy that has not visibly failed to date, unfortunately.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

Tuesday 4th May

HMS SHEFFIELD - mortally damaged south east of Falklands by Exocet missile fired by Super Etendard of CANA 2 Esc. Burnt out and sank in tow on Monday 10th May.
http://www.naval-history.net/F62brshipslost.htm

[NoBullZone]

No, time to line up US and UK forces on the border of Iran's territorial waters, with guns pointed towards Iran, an start to sail VERY slowly inward ...

[familyop]

"Blair and company sold out Great Britain to the muzzies and now they are paying the price."

Actually, most Brits see PM Blair as being too warlike and to much of a "poodle" to our President (who is perceived as being a warlike, trigger-happy "cowboy" in the eyes of most Britons).

[RunningWolf]

I surely hope the Brits don't fall for the 'admit guilt and they go free gambit' That would only set the Iranian trap even harder.

Iran would use that as a reason to hold the troops not let them go. This is the same game they played with US if I recall correctly.

[sageb1]

Thanks for the headlines. Keep us up-to-date on the "man in the street."

[JamminJAY]

Wow, just wow.

[sageb1]

Great rant. You know what's really sad? Half of those leftists are ignorant kids who just think the hate fests are fun.

[sageb1]

"While we are searching for face saving solutions, I for one would like Tehran bombed for the constant threats we must endure."

Tehran will not be bombed unless we are attacked on home soil. Rescue attempts? Assassinations? Nuke sites taken out? All are possible, but not Tehran. Not in the near future.

[topfile]

So there it is. The ransom has been demanded.

[mkjessup]

If the UK is looking for a quid pro quo response to this absurd demand for an apology, they could begin by informing every Middle Eastern nation that continues to have diplomatic and trade relations with Iran, that if they wish to have continued diplomatic relations with the UK, they must severe all ties with Tehran in light of Iran's illegal acts and defiance of the international community.

If those nations balk at such a demand, the UK cuts all diplomatic ties with THEM, freezes any and all of their assets in the UK, close their embassies in London, deport their diplomatic staffs immediately and without delay, ban all incoming commercial air traffic originating from, or passing through those nations, literally shut off ALL contact whatsoever.

And the United States should come out 100 percent in support of the UK, and do likewise.

Make 'em choose, either line up with Iran and lose everything they've got, or cut ties with Tehran, condemn Iran's actions, and continue to enjoy relatively normal relations with the UK and the U.S.

And if that diplomatic initiative fails to deliver the desired results, start sinking Iranian vessels, military AND commercial, one by one until all that is left are rowboats.

[sageb1]

"That's getting off pretty easy. In 1800, 20% of the US treasury per year went to paying off the Barbary coast pirates."

And then we had our first appeasement treaty.

[sageb1]

"The ship remains in Wonson Harbor, North Korea. ""

Turning that back over to us ought to be any part of whatever we do with them.

[LikeLight]

I bet she doesn't even smoke!

That's what I was wondering...