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Armada of British naval power massing in the Gulf as Israel prepares an Iran strike
The Telegraph ^ | 15 Sep 2012 | Sean Rayment

Posted on 09/15/2012 5:26:47 PM PDT by mandaladon

An armada of US and British naval power is massing in the Persian Gulf in the belief that Israel is considering a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s covert nuclear weapons programme. Battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines from 25 nations are converging on the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in an unprecedented show of force as Israel and Iran move towards the brink of war.

Western leaders are convinced that Iran will retaliate to any attack by attempting to mine or blockade the shipping lane through which passes around 18 million barrels of oil every day, approximately 35 per cent of the world’s petroleum traded by sea.

A blockade would have a catastrophic effect on the fragile economies of Britain, Europe the United States and Japan, all of which rely heavily on oil and gas supplies from the Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most congested international waterways. It is only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point and is bordered by the Iranian coast to the north and the United Arab Emirates to the south.

In preparation for any pre-emptive or retaliatory action by Iran, warships from more than 25 countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, will today begin an annual 12-day exercise.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Israel; News/Current Events; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iran; israel; straitofhormuz; unitedkingdom; waronterror
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To: Errant

Ragged Old Flag ... Mr. John Cash ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIHYNPjUd50


81 posted on 09/15/2012 7:55:40 PM PDT by no-to-illegals (Please God, Protect and Bless Our Men and Women in Uniform with Victory. Amen.)
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To: LaybackLenny
In regards to the use of the term, "battleship":

The carriers are supported by at least 12 battleships, including ballistic missile cruisers, frigates, destroyers and assault ships carrying thousand of US Marines and special forces.

It appears the author of the article thinks the terms "battleship" and "warship" are interchangeable.

82 posted on 09/15/2012 7:56:48 PM PDT by Joseph Harrolds
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To: no-to-illegals
ELVIS An American Trilogy
83 posted on 09/15/2012 8:04:35 PM PDT by Errant
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To: mandaladon

Methinks the UK is helping Hussein in deterring Israel from attacking Iran.


84 posted on 09/15/2012 8:06:45 PM PDT by Jyotishi (Seeking the truth, a fact at a time.)
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To: Jyotishi
I agree my 1st response to this story was

I wonder which side they will be on?

85 posted on 09/15/2012 8:09:03 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (Giving more money to DC to fix the Debt is like giving free drugs to addicts think it will cure them)
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To: no-to-illegals
Eternal Father Strong To Save (Navy Hymn)
86 posted on 09/15/2012 8:12:53 PM PDT by Errant
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To: GeronL

Yeah, that’s what I was wondering. What do they have left, like one destroyer and a submarine or two?


87 posted on 09/15/2012 8:14:05 PM PDT by jmacusa (Political correctness is cultural Marxism. I'm not a Marxist.)
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To: Joseph Harrolds

If there were 12 battleships and five carriers in gulf, the water would be overflowing and no one could turn around.


88 posted on 09/15/2012 8:18:19 PM PDT by Vermont Lt (I am NOT from Vermont. I am from MA. And I don't support Romney. Please read before "assuming.")
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To: Errant

Till The Last Shot’s Fired ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz-3BruPdEo


89 posted on 09/15/2012 8:19:48 PM PDT by no-to-illegals (Please God, Protect and Bless Our Men and Women in Uniform with Victory. Amen.)
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To: MNJohnnie

Maybe Israel will call Hussein’s bluff if that’s what this buildup is. Regardless, the plan must be to make him look good for the elections.


90 posted on 09/15/2012 8:22:12 PM PDT by Jyotishi (Seeking the truth, a fact at a time.)
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To: jmacusa
What do they have left, like one destroyer and a submarine or two?

10 subs, 2 helicopter carriers, 6 destroyers, 13 frigates.

91 posted on 09/15/2012 8:40:58 PM PDT by Joseph Harrolds
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To: mandaladon

“British Naval Power”?

Pretty much of a joke these days.


92 posted on 09/15/2012 9:01:12 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: Joseph Harrolds
Jeez, that's pitiful. Henry the Eighth must be spinning in his grave.
93 posted on 09/15/2012 9:05:06 PM PDT by jmacusa (Political correctness is cultural Marxism. I'm not a Marxist.)
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To: MadMax, the Grinning Reaper

We still have an aircraft carrier.


94 posted on 09/15/2012 9:07:13 PM PDT by the scotsman (i)
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To: GonzoGOP

The UK still has one aircraft carrier.


95 posted on 09/15/2012 9:09:29 PM PDT by the scotsman (i)
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To: Timber Rattler

1—The Royal Navy operates a “blue-water” fleet of technologically sophisticated ships including an aircraft carrier (though without fixed-wing aircraft), a helicopter carrier, two landing platform docks, four ballistic missile submarines (which maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent), six nuclear fleet submarines, six guided missile destroyers, 13 frigates, 15 mine-countermeasure vessels and 24 patrol vessels. As of July 2012, there were 78 commissioned ships in the Royal Navy.

2—What are you banging on about, not armed?.

3-Britain and the Royal Navy took part in the naval attack on Libya. The RN fired many Tomahawk and StormShadow missiles. Are you unaware of that?.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ellamy

Task Force Cougar also sat in the Med as potential reinforcements.


96 posted on 09/15/2012 9:16:51 PM PDT by the scotsman (i)
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To: Joseph Harrolds
It appears the author of the article thinks the terms "battleship" and "warship" are interchangeable.

Back around the beginning of the year, the same error appeared in an article about Britain's newest destroyer. Could've even been from the same editor's desk.

97 posted on 09/15/2012 9:17:42 PM PDT by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: PAR35

The Royal Navy operates a “blue-water” fleet of technologically sophisticated ships including an aircraft carrier (though without fixed-wing aircraft), a helicopter carrier, two landing platform docks, four ballistic missile submarines (which maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent), six nuclear fleet submarines, six guided missile destroyers, 13 frigates, 15 mine-countermeasure vessels and 24 patrol vessels. As of July 2012, there were 78 commissioned ships in the Royal Navy.


98 posted on 09/15/2012 9:19:02 PM PDT by the scotsman (i)
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To: PAR35

The Royal Navy operates a “blue-water” fleet of technologically sophisticated ships including an aircraft carrier (though without fixed-wing aircraft), a helicopter carrier, two landing platform docks, four ballistic missile submarines (which maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent), six nuclear fleet submarines, six guided missile destroyers, 13 frigates, 15 mine-countermeasure vessels and 24 patrol vessels. As of July 2012, there were 78 commissioned ships in the Royal Navy.


99 posted on 09/15/2012 9:19:17 PM PDT by the scotsman (i)
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To: mandaladon

An armada? How many ships are left in their Navy? One or two?


100 posted on 09/15/2012 9:40:46 PM PDT by chessplayer
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