Posted on 06/23/2010 11:45:17 AM PDT by TaraP
Iran has changed course again and announced Tuesday afternoon it will send a ship to try to challenge Israeli sovereignty over the waters off of Hamas-controlled Gaza, as was agreed in the Oslo Accords.
One day earlier, Iran backed down, saying that the sailing was being put off indefinitely. No reason was given for either announcement, but the resumption of the plan to risk a confrontation with the Israeli Navy came the same day that efforts were intensified in Lebanon for two ships to set out for Gaza.
Analysts have pointed out that despite its verbal bravado, the Islamic Republics navy is the weakest part of its armed forces. However, Israel is preparing for the worst, and commandos are training for the prospect of meeting up with Iranian suicide bombers on the high seas.
"No one in their right mind can believe that a ship sent by the ayatollahs and their Revolutionary Guards has anything to do with humanitarian aid," said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor. "I don't think there is one single country in this region and beyond that would let such an ayatollah ship come near its coasts."
The prospect of U.S. warships being involved was played down by Newsweek magazine, which reported Tuesday that Saturdays movement through the Suez Canal of the American warships, led by the giant aircraft carrier USS Truman, was unconnected with an Iranian attempt to reach Gaza.
(Excerpt) Read more at israelnationalnews.com ...
Then why are they going!?! It was eleven ships, right? Any military folks out there have an opinion?
Deep sea sinking would be in order. Nobody to raise the ship and determine who sunk it, except for the U.S. and I don’t think we would do that.
“.. led by the giant aircraft carrier USS Truman, was unconnected with an Iranian attempt to reach Gaza.”
Let’s hope they fight for the right side....
Iran thinks they want to tangle with Israel.
Someone needs to remind them: Be very, very careful what you wish for; you just may get it.
Bombing practice for the Israeli Air Force??
Two or three submarine torpedoes, well off shore.
I’m getting sick of watching clown cars, and I’m tired of good people being hurt.
Israeli sub will sink it — far, far away from cameras.
“Gee, I wonder what happened to it. It’s just gone...”
I’m not in the military, but 11 ships centered around a carrier sounds like a Carrier Battle Group. They’re probably going to relieve another CVBG in the Persian Gulf or somewhere close by. This is not a big deal, yet.
I’m so cynical about Zero and his demonstrably anti-Israel stance that I’m now envisioning our ships acting as escorts/protection for the Iranian ships! Would Israel attack the Iranians if our ships were nearby?
“our” ships are nearby, and Iran is acting in confidence.
Shows their belief of what America will do....”nothing, nada, zip”,
“Heck! They are on our side against the jew... ask brother Obama!”
"Imadinnerjacket? Yeah, it's me, Baraq. Look, before they drag me outta here and hang my treasonous behind from the nearest lamp post, this is gonna be your best shot at taking out our mutual Zionist enemy, or at least having a reasonable chance of bringing about the return of our Mahdi, so go ahead and launch those tubs. I promise, I won't allow the Yankee dogs in my Imperialist Navy to do a thing."

That's not the same as saying that the Iranian postment and then reinstatement of their "mission" did not have anything to do with the Truman group passing through the canal.
These guys may be suicide bombers, but they'd like to get a little closer to the target before being blown up. And they'd like to do the blowing up, not have the US Navy do it for them.
This may be a result of the increasing overall tensions but still unrelated to the blockade.
If youd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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