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Iran readying massive military exercise in Persian Gulf, officials say
CNN ^ | Wed August 1, 2018 | Barbara Starr and Ryan Browne,

Posted on 08/01/2018 6:08:06 PM PDT by BenLurkin

Washington (CNN)Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard forces are expected to begin a major exercise in the Persian Gulf as soon as within the next 48 hours that could be aimed at demonstrating their ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, according to two US officials directly familiar with the latest US assessment of IRGC troop movements.

"We are aware of the increase in Iranian naval operations within the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. We are monitoring it closely, and will continue to work with our partners to ensure freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in international waterways," Captain William Urban, chief spokesman for US Central Command, told CNN.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically critical passageway linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea that is crucial to international shipping and particularly for global energy supplies.

While the US sees no immediate signs of hostile intent from Iran, the IRGC show of force has US military intelligence deeply concerned...

As of now, the US assesses the IRGC has assembled a fleet of more than 100 boats, many of them small fast moving vessels. It's expected Iranian air and ground assets including coastal defensive missile batteries could be involved. Hundreds of Iranian troops are expected to participate and some regular Iranian forces could be involved as well.

The IRGC exercise comes as the US has only one major warship, the USS The Sullivans inside the Persian Gulf, several officials say. Other US warships are nearby and there are numerous combat aircraft in the region.

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


TOPICS: War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iran; military; persiangulf
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To: BenLurkin

21 posted on 08/01/2018 6:57:36 PM PDT by Spruce
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To: yarddog

Amen brother, I’m in the same boat. I want to see them get what they deserve I can taste my hate for them.


22 posted on 08/01/2018 7:00:41 PM PDT by Empireoftheatom48 (WWG1WGA!)
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To: Paladin2

“Pipelines are less mobile than supertankers.
Pipelines are not easy to defend either.
The Iranian Navy may not be easy to defend either.”

You made my case with #3! The Strait of Hormuz is at least partially Iran’s territorial waters. And while their Navy would be cannon fodder in a matter of hours, they could cause the blockage of the Strait before they were subdued. I wouldn’t put it past those useless motherf*ckers to use a nuke on it.
And yeah, a pipeline has to be protected, but right now having one to bypass the Iranians would be a good thing. It’s not like a garden hose you can string out at a moment’s notice.


23 posted on 08/01/2018 7:01:00 PM PDT by vette6387
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To: lgjhn23

“Mattis will blow every stinkin’ one of em clean out of the water and think nothing of it.”

And that would block the Strait of Hormuz, so I think Secy Mattis is giving it more thought than you have.


24 posted on 08/01/2018 7:03:18 PM PDT by vette6387
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To: lgjhn23

25 posted on 08/01/2018 7:06:42 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: yarddog
One thing I hope to see before I die is Iran taken down and taken down hard.

You get it. Iran needs to be destroyed. They actually have the ability to start WWIII or at least a "limited" nuclear war.

26 posted on 08/01/2018 7:15:50 PM PDT by shanover (...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.-S.Adams)
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To: vette6387

“....And that would block the Strait of Hormuz, so I think Secy Mattis is giving it more thought than you have.....”
Under Mattis, I seriously doubt any U.S. Naval vessel will be surrendered and/or boarded. And IF challenged, I suspect the U.S. Navy will meet that challenge....one way or another. As far as blocking the Strait itself, there are ways they can be taken out without that happening. Their boats are not that huge. My bet is Mattis and his team already have a plan to deal with these turds should the occasion present itself.


27 posted on 08/01/2018 7:17:34 PM PDT by lgjhn23 (It's easy to be liberal when you're dumber than a box of rocks.)
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To: BenLurkin
demonstrating their ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz

Would you like to bet on that, CNN? Hint: Trump is not Obama!!!

28 posted on 08/01/2018 7:25:58 PM PDT by libertylover (Trump has driven the Democrats and GOPe batshit crazy.)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

They should receive NONE!!!!


29 posted on 08/01/2018 7:29:13 PM PDT by bantam
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To: BenLurkin

What is their largest ship? Where are they getting the cash to sail a fleet? They will also need air cover. What is their game plan after the first day of action?


30 posted on 08/01/2018 8:06:58 PM PDT by lurk
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To: Lurkinanloomin

They are about to find out that President Trump is not a muzzie like the Kenyanesian Usurper.


31 posted on 08/01/2018 8:15:59 PM PDT by 353FMG
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To: 353FMG

Whatever happened to the impending implosion of the Iranian government? Seems like they’re doing just fine. The mullahs aren’t going anywhere.


32 posted on 08/01/2018 8:23:07 PM PDT by huckfillary
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To: lurk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_ships_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Navy


33 posted on 08/01/2018 8:27:47 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: bantam

First boat, one warning shot. Second and subsequent boats no warnings.


34 posted on 08/01/2018 8:39:22 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (The ONLY purpose for gun control is so that one group can force its will on a less powerful group.)
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To: BenLurkin

Dude
TARGET PRACTICE!
Hoo rah !


35 posted on 08/01/2018 10:10:10 PM PDT by Truthoverpower (The guvmint you get is the Trump winning express !)
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To: BenLurkin

Probably their own war games or simply a display of power-those Iranians love to brag


36 posted on 08/01/2018 10:50:02 PM PDT by thesligoduffyflynns (get off my lawn)
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To: Secret Agent Man

#2. The Traitor Obama’s $150 BILLION, $140 Million Dollar credit card from the US taxpayer.


37 posted on 08/01/2018 11:14:53 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: The Toll

#3. Dozens, if not scores of attack Torpedo/Missile small PT-like ships, using the swarm tactic to overwhelm the defenses of any ship(s) they attack. They don’t care if they lost most of their men as “martyrs” if they succeed in sinking our ships and causing many casualties.

That is why using MOABs and Daisy Cutters (i.e. the Rachel Corrie Pancake Bomb and Cookie Cutter) would take them out in seconds.


38 posted on 08/01/2018 11:17:09 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: Blood of Tyrants

#34. No military foreplay. Take them out on the first shot and then give them a second shot warning.

Don’t play by their rules. Play by ours - Do unto our enemies first before they do it to us!


39 posted on 08/01/2018 11:20:43 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: BenLurkin

Probably rigged up bump stock SKS’s.


40 posted on 08/02/2018 3:55:53 AM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie (All I know is what I read in the papers.)
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