Posted on 06/20/2019 2:27:05 AM PDT by Jyotishi
Play: U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman by Bob Brown Watch: More troops to head to Mideast as Iran tensions rise
In a major provocation, Iran shot down an unarmed and unmanned U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton drone while it was flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz Thursday, a U.S. official told ABC News.
The incident is sure to trigger serious discussions within the Trump administration about how to respond to a direct attack on a U.S. military asset that goes beyond recent attacks in the Middle East that the U.S. has blamed on Iran.
(More: US to send 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East as tensions escalate with Iran)
Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, offered a strongly worded threat to the U.S. after the drone was downed.
"Shooting down the American spy drone had a clear, decisive, firm and accurate message," he said, translated from Farsi. "The message is that the guardians of the borders of Islamic Iran will decisively respond to the violation of any stranger to this land. The only solution for the enemies is to respect the territorial integrity and national interests of Iran."
"We do not intend to engage in war with any country, but we are completely ready for the war. Today's incident is a clear sign of this accurate message," Salami added.
U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman photo by Alex Evers
The Triton unmanned aircraft system completes its first flight May 22, 2013 from the Northrop Grumman manufacturing facility in Palmdale, Calif.
The U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton was shot down by an Iranian surface to air missile while the reconnaissance drone was flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, a U.S. official told ABC News.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
[No offense, but the fact that someone here on FreeRepublic would consider a radical Islamic regime like Saudi Arabia to be an “ally” of the U.S. shows how far gone this country is.]
You’ve belabored the point that Iranians may or may not have a legitimate grievance against us for helping the absolute ruler of Iran, the Shah, stay in power against his treasonous Prime Minister. The fact, though, is that Mossadegh was a Red who have had Khomeini killed, thereby strangling any theocratic revolution in the crib. Since the Shah’s sweeping away of Mossadegh’s challenge to his authority, in alliance with the mullahs, meant their continued survival, Iran’s theocrats had no reason to resent America. That’s why Carter was so surprised when they took hundreds of US embassy personnel hostage. Just as American intervention to keep the Shah in power in the 50’s had kept the mullahs alive, Carter’s pressure against the Shah helped the mullahs win power. That’s because Carter was stupid and sentimental. Iran’s clerics are venomous snakes that bite because it’s their nature.
Even if the mullahs had a legit grievance, that and $2.75 will get you a ride on the subway. We’re not obligated to let them acquire the means to nuke us regardless of their grievances. Their end times scenario, key in a country that isn’t just governed by religious law, but ruled by actual clerics, foresees a cataclysmic war that brings about the appearance of the Shiite Messiah. What better way to trigger this than to launch a thousand nukes at the Great Satan?
Besides, in practical terms, the more serious their felt grievances, the more important it is that Iran’s military capability is neutralized. Hitler was such a grave threat to the Jewish people precisely because he felt so aggrieved.
yea I know some older rich kids of Iran under the shah, oil ministers son..Father was one of the heads between the beginning bp and the gangstamint..
The Saudi regime is only an "ally" in a sense that they conduct business with the U.S. and use their large trade surplus with us to finance an extensive lobbying campaign here in the U.S. We have absolutely nothing in common with that country in terms of our language, customs, culture, governing structure, or anything else that would typically define an "ally."
Pakistan has nukes, we know for sure as they tested in 1998. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chagai-I
I know a lot of this foreign policy is twisted. I thought Trump isn’t funding Pakistan anymore. Maybe I’m wrong. As far as Israel is concerned it’s the only democracy in the region. They could be crushed if Iran got the bomb ( which I think they already have it and that’s why they’re chesty right now). In that region Israel is worth saving.
They won’t really understand the resolve of the people of the United States unless they have several of their cities turned into ash by thermonuclear devices.
We haven’t nuked anyone for 74 years, it isn’t a threat any more unless we actually nuke someone.
“...completely ready for war...” ??? Hmmmm.
Well: “Only aggressors are prepared”.
But I guess we don’t need to quote Joe Stalin to America’s enemies.
[We have absolutely nothing in common with that country in terms of our language, customs, culture, governing structure, or anything else that would typically define an “ally.”]
You are irrationally lumping according to your warped definition of radical
Like cornered rats they are lashing out. We must extract pmt for the destruction of the drone but it must be done quietly.
Iran is goading us into military action because sanctions are killing them. They blew through the $ Obama gave them quickly (and spent it on terrorism and proxy wars) but inflation is about 40% and unemployment is about 45%.
There are weekly protests, usually in smaller towns and done in a coordinated but non-conventional way to limit crackdowns.
IMHO sanctions, arming and supporting protesters and covert operations arent just a good idea....they are happening NOW.
Once again, just my humble opinion.
This was a jet powered drone that costs over $100 million.
When you view life through a paper towell tube, you miss most of reality
This is a pretty sophisticated drone.
...
Yep. Jet powered and costs over $100 million.
They didn’t shoot down a toy.
Never trust a salami.
This won't take long, did it.
8:07am...Thursday, 6/20/19...PDJT not texted yet...I’d wager still figuring out who is responsible...wonder if any patriots reside inside the CIA...if any. Bolton may know.
I doubt Iran, per se, is solely responsible except via proxy.
There is a theory afoot that claims Iran would welcome an attack by the US, so it can mobilize support of its population. Many Iranians are disgusted with their leaders. Their phony claim that we invaded their airspace is part of that theory. However, at this time, an effective response should be forthcoming. The straights of Hormuz must remain open to shipping.
Im sure this is why Jon Cary has been meeting with Iran. He egging Iran on, knowing that a war with Iran will hurt Trumps election chances.
OK. I’ll defer to your wisdom about what constitutes “radical.”
And keep in mind that your rationale for considering them an "ally" is precisely how the U.S. ended up on the side of ISIS elements in the Middle East.
You don't pick friends in a tribal Third World sh!t-hole. There are none to be had.
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