Posted on 05/14/2019 3:53:21 AM PDT by topher
As tensions rose over the weekend between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf, several vessels were “sabotaged” off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Both Iranian media and the UAE reported the incident, but 24 hours after it happened, much of what occurred was still shrouded in mystery, with allegations of “explosions” and questions about how severe the “sabotage” actually was.
The Saudi energy minister confirmed that two of its oil tankers were targeted in a “sabotage attack.” It took place as the tankers were “on their way to the Arabian Gulf” via the Emirate of Fujairah, the statement said. The UAE said that in total four boats were damaged. The UAE’s The National claimed that “Iranian and Lebanese media outlets aired false reports of explosions.” The same reports in the UAE said the tankers had been on their way to the US after being loaded with Saudi oil. No one was hurt, the UAE said.
(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...
I'm guessing you're on the right track; submarine ramming attempt on the prop. See post 15 for larger pic.
But I'd also suppose the best defence against submarine rammings in the middle of the night would be a navy destroyer escort. I think the message is 'you've been warned'.
You don't need Obama and Kerry. Bolton wants the war so bad he can taste it.
Iran has lot of mini-subs. They could be attaching a mine to the tanker. Insurance rates go up on Persian Gulf oil.
Mini-subs have port facilities.
Take them out. Use daisy cutters/MOABs.
——Oil is the least of it.-——
I would argue that oil is the most of it.
American sanctions against buying Iranian oil were waived for certain nations including Japan and China. Very recently those waivers were withdrawn.
China will disregard the sanctions but Japan will not. ‘There are a few others that will also accept the sanctions and comply with President Trump’s wishes.
He has enlisted the support of the GCC, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia in increasing production to supply these previous Iranian customers.
The attack on ships in the UAE harbor is direct attack in retaliation for the sanctions. Both saudi and UAE vessels were targeted. A message was delivered.
Iran has now kinetically engaged enemies beyond just the USA. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE possess dangerous air forces
Iran now faces danger from dangerous militaries in addition to the US Navy. All these forces are coordinated and can and will act as one if necessary
Helicopter with dipping sonar. Ping them hard. When you locate a sub, boom. So sorry
Appears to be impact damage from a vessel with a bulbous bow, which struck a glancing blow from a port quarter approach. Alternatively, could possibly have been collision damage caused by a submarine running shallow.
“We need to assist our allies in defending the Gulf.”
What allies?? They want our money for oil and they want us to fight their enemies. We’re suckers, not allies.
That is an error in judgement, a misguided opinion
Well I was gonna come to your defense. But your inner Italian already fixed that guy good. Nothing I can add to your eloquence.
Yes, SOSUS, in concept is de-classified. I question how well it could work within the Persian Gulf however, as the average depth is about 160 feet, which makes it one, large bathtub. And with all the shipping and small craft in the Gulf, it's a very noisy bathtub. Given how quiet diesel-electric subs are, it might be very tricky pick up a few, stray frequencies among all the other broadband noise.
Within the same paragraph, you conflate SOSUS and "active" sonar. They are two different things. SOSUS is passive sonar, meaning it just "listens." Active sonar "pings," and would be more useful for locating and prosecuting quiet submarines.
My best guess would be that if the Iranians ARE using diesel subs, their sonar operators (and likely all their sub crews), aren't the most skilled at their jobs. Their subs are likely coming to the surface quite a bit and using their periscopes to identify a target. In fact, they may even be using their sub radar.
If the Iranians spend a lot of time on or near the surface, it would change how we detect them, and I think the strategy would benefit us.
“It is almost impossible to “sink” a fully laden tanker - even deliberately.”
Depends. Is it an African laden tanker or a European laden tanker?
It doesn’t look like an explosion.
It looks like somebody took a can opener to the ships.
Or rammed them.
Remember the ramp of teeth above the Nautilus in 20,000 leagues below the sea?
That.
If you think Iran did this you’ve lost your mind. I admit it will certainly be made to look like they did it. Someone is trying to get us into a shooting war with them and I will guarantee it’s not them. They would have done a better job.
D/E subs are very good and very quiet, virtually undetectable once submerged. The reason the US doesn’t use them is range. The US is a blue water navy. But for countries that only operate in coastal brown water, D/E makes the most sense.
Ping. Any thoughts?
L
You are correct. The reason the message was delivered in Fujairah is because the emirate of Abu Dhabi built oil export pipelines to Fujairah as a hedge to Iranian interference in the UAE ports inside the Arabian Gulf. Fujairah is the only UAE emirate not on the Arabian Gulf.
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