Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

US reportedly bolsters presence in Persian Gulf during Iranian missile tests
Fox News ^ | July 03, 2012 | FoxNews.com

Posted on 07/03/2012 2:20:10 PM PDT by OwenKellogg

The United States has reportedly bolstered its air and naval presence in the Persian Gulf as Iran is in the middle of a three day series of missile tests aimed at mock foreign bases.

The buildup is to strengthen the US’ position at the Strait of Hormuz, a key world oil route that Iran has threatened to block amid tightening sanctions over its nuclear program, the New York Times reports.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, such as power generation and cancer treatment. But Western powers suspect the Islamic Republic wants to build nuclear weapons, and Israel has hinted at an attack if diplomatic efforts and sanctions fail to eliminate what it sees as a direct threat.

The message to Iran is, ‘Don’t even think about it,’ ” one senior Defense Department official told the New York Times. “We’ll clear the mines. Don’t even think about sending your fast boats out to harass our vessels or commercial shipping. We’ll put them on the bottom of the gulf.”

The Navy has doubled its minesweepers in the gulf to eight ships, while F-22 and F-15C warplanes have been moved and positioned at two bases in the Persian Gulf region.

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


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Fireworks time?
1 posted on 07/03/2012 2:20:14 PM PDT by OwenKellogg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: OwenKellogg

looks like it..........


2 posted on 07/03/2012 2:23:33 PM PDT by brivette
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OwenKellogg

Why is no one talking about the fact that we gave China a waiver to sidestep our sanctions on Iran yesterday?


3 posted on 07/03/2012 2:26:49 PM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: brivette

It also appears the oxygen problem is fixed on the Raptors.


4 posted on 07/03/2012 2:27:30 PM PDT by OwenKellogg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: OwenKellogg

40,000 troops on hand.


5 posted on 07/03/2012 3:26:12 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PIF

Do we have to wait for the full moon?


6 posted on 07/03/2012 4:17:57 PM PDT by OwenKellogg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: OwenKellogg

Do we have to wait for the full moon?

In October ...


7 posted on 07/04/2012 5:02:15 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson