Posted on 03/30/2006 12:43:21 PM PST by areafiftyone
P>A tourist ship carrying a number of Westerners is feared to have sunk off the coast of Bahrain in the Gulf.
A hospital source said that many people were missing, while at least one body has been recovered.
Ambulances could be heard rushing to the port from which the vessel had set off.
The US Navy said it was sending rescue crews to the scene.
More follows...
FROM YAHOO NEWS ALERT:
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) The U.S. Navy says American divers and helicopters are heading to a "ship accident" in the Persian Gulf off Bahrain
Iran To Launch 'Massive' Naval 'Holy Prophet' Exercise 31 Mar
IRNA (Internet Version-WWW)
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tehran, March 29, IRNA -- Iran is to launch a massive joint naval wargame titled "Holy Prophet (PBUH)", beginning on March 31 with shooting of a Shahab II Missile into the air with the message of "Peace and Friendship" for the regional countries, Persian Gulf, and Sea of Oman littoral states.
Commander of the Islamic Republic Guard Corps Naval Force Admiral Morteza Saffari announced the news at a press conference here on Wednesday, adding, "The IRGC Naval Force, the IRI naval and Army forces, volunteer Forces and the IRI Disciplinary Forces will participate in the military maneuver.
The wargame would begin with the password "Muhammad the Messenger of Allah," according to the IRGC Naval Force Commander and last till April 6 in the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf up to 40 kilometers to the south, to Iran's border port city of Chabahar in the region.
Over seventeen thousand of Iran's armed forces and Basij mobilization forces, would take part in the naval wargame in which ,500 large and small naval vessels of various types would participate.
The IRGC official added, "The Command Headquarters of the wargame would be the IRGC Noah Naval Barracks, while five other army, Air Force and navy bases in three provinces would back up the massive operation."
Admiral Saffari announced the entire armed forces' of the country's full readiness to defend the territorial integrity of the motherland.
He added, "The latest local achievements of the country in defense industries, implementation of the experiences of the country's armed forces in planning and launching massive military operations in practice, evaluation of the conduct of our commanders, and providing a real atmosphere for our mobilization forces to display their defense apabilities are among the top objectives of the maneuver." The four-phased naval wargame is meanwhile planned to display the Islamic system's defensive capabilities.
Iranian made drones would be flied to collect information from the virtual enemy's camp, sea-to-air missiles capable of pursuing moving objects, helicopters capable of shooting air-to-sea, and air-to-land missiles, rapid reaction boats, Iranian made intelligent mines with multi-sensors, various naval rocket mine launchers, huge Iranian made naval rockets and up-to-date telecommunication facilities would be among the sea of equipment to be facilitated during the wargame.
(Description of Source: Tehran IRNA (Internet Version-WWW) in English -- official state-run news agency)
You need to be telling that to Iran, not me. They are the ones press releasing that they are launching missiles into the gulf and flexing.
There are conflicting stories about where the exercises are. Your post states the "northern gulf", some research I did stated off the coast of Chab Bahar, which is in the south, well south of the Straight of Hormuz.
"Territorial waters" means nothing, as the ranges of a missile gone awry or some other accident could have happened.
My guess is this is not related to Iran's exercises, but you never know. After all, we accidentally shot down an Iranian airliner--remember that?
LMAO!! Hey re-tread, want some cheeeeeeese with that whine?
This is tomorrow there. Exercise is scheduled for 31 Mar.
The ferry sunk on 31 Mar.
I have no idea if any of this is related or not. I even disclaimered FYI in my posting. It is significant to keep in mind though.
Hey Mike -- check FReepmail!! *HUGS!*
yup- another accident - move along, nothing to see here - trust us the Arabs are in control...
It wasn't the 31st when it sunk....
ASSUMING the time on the story is behind when the actual incident happened, it was late at night on the 30th...
Again the "attack premise" holds no water.
Bump.
This is what got you so fired up? Good grief, man. Take a chill pill. They're entitled to their opinions. I don't agree with them, but they're a heckuva lot better than some of the junk on the BN hysteria thread (which does have its entertainment value!).
it's frikin Irresponsible to speculate like that.
Especially when it doesn't make any logical sense.
Just forget I ever pinged you ok?
You're right. We certainly wouldn't want Iran to do anything irrational!
Oh, for cryin' out freakin' loud.
Oh, and by the way...
THERE IS NO CIVIL WAR IN IRAQ. ;-)
Fifteen Hundred? Iran has fifteen hundred naval vessels? Sheesh! they must be counting inflated inner tubes.
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