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 ...
I just read the Air Force is practicing using A-10s to counter the gunboat swarms.
One 30mm round could really spoil a plastic hull and occupants.
MY thought is a thermobaric bomb would be effective against a cluster of boats.
And let’s not forget the shoreline batteries of Silkworm missiles.
Be strong but not provocative. A first shot shown on video that is ignored is much more damning than a no-warning kill.
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