I read it all,now if I am understandin your point,you say there was no nefarious activity,
The only nefarious activity was the Iranian RGs bushwhacking some “mall guard” RS sailors on a routine coastal transit.
They knew when they left port, they knew where they were going, they knew the RS ROE would turn a Mexican Standoff into an American Surrender.
And they as hell knew all about the Riverine Squadron, its boats, crews, SOPs etc. They have competent spies in every port in the PG. They are not going to just randomly and accidentally plan and execute an ambush on these hapless mall guard sailors on a routine transit. Make no mistake, this was an ambush. Well conceived, perfectly executed.
The Thinker piece today is a total joke on many levels. The “experts” quoted said that the Iranians probably mistook “Rivierine” (sic) for Marine. [Slapping head with both hands].
Literally, the “experts” cited, and the author, “don’t know SWCC from Shinola.”