Posted on 04/26/2006 2:01:56 AM PDT by Wiz
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Iran lacks the capability to block the world's leading shipping route for crude oil exports.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies said the Iranian Navy, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has failed to procure the platforms or weapons required to block the Straits of Hormuz, the passage for 60 percent of the world's oil trade. In a report, the Washington-based center said the United States could block any Iranian attempt to attack Gulf shipping, particularly from the sea.
"Iran could not close the Strait of Hormuz, or halt tanker traffic, and its submarines and much of its IRGC forces would probably be destroyed in a matter of days if they become operational," the report said.
(Excerpt) Read more at menewsline.com ...
Mines.
Parting that oil line in Iran wouldn't be too hard.
"Iran can block oil export whenever necessary," IRGC Air Force commander Gen. Hosein Salami said. "This is a natural ability of our country." In a television interview, Salami said Iran controls 2,000 kilometers of the coast of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman. He said Teheran has developed a long-range missile capability that could be employed to protect Iranian interests in the region.
More can be found here...
The MSM AKA the ENEMEDIA, are proactively working for the downfall of this country by formenting dissent! These stupid Iranian superiority propoganda storys promote oil price speculation increase. This raises the gasoline pump price. So far the most effective means of creating dissent and disgruntlement among the average uninformed citizen!
It's not the Republican president causing the price to go up! It "IS"TM BIlly Jeff the direct fault of Kommie Katy Kouric and the Rodham broadcasting system!!
I seriously doubt that any one site will get more than one or two shots off, but that will be enough to do some damage. However, once those sites do fire something, I think their survival time will be measured in seconds. That reality will most likely cool the ardor to shoot at American flagged tankers.
It would only take one shot, or even a serious threat to close the straights. The insurance companies will not insure these tankers if there is a serious threat. Too much money involved.
You have Chinese manufactured weapons maintained in a harsh environment by Iranian troops. When push comes to shove, the Silkworms will fail in massive numbers.
IIRC it was the largest naval battle since WWII. Needless to say it ended badly for the Iranian Navy. There was basically nothing left of them after a week or so.
L
This is Exactly what the US Navy is for. The teachings of Alfred Thayer Mahan are the dogma that is the US Navy i.e. Control the Sea and you control trade. Like the Royal Navy in the 18th and 19th century any attack on shipping, US flagged or not is an attack on the US therefore the use of force is justified.
Some photos and info from Operation Earnest Will
but Uncle Sam can pay the premiums or offer new insurance policies, all being paid for as war reparations by muzzies after regime decapitation, etc..(end sarcasm)
economics will not block US from acting against a national security threat(i hope).
Isn't the mere threat of attacking shipping an act of war?
I agree. One shot can sink a tanker. That's a huge amount of money. And the negative press will do the rest. Watch oil prices skyrocket.
I cannot believe we are even talking about this stuff. The very second those idiots develop a working nuke, they will light it off, and all this discussion about oil, Hormuz, Bush and on and on will be moot.
We are continuing to play right into their plan; we talk and they hide, lie, develop and shoot.
"Iran controls 2,000 kilometers of the coast of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman"
I know nothing about this sort of operation except that I have read that Iran has heavily mined their waters and are prepared to physically block the Straits of Hormuz, thru sinking ships, etc, and they wouldn't need to take direct shots at US ships with silkworms, etc.
I don't think so. Even crazy musselmen understand Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). They bust off a nuke, we eliminate their entire population---present and future.
They know, They don't care! In fact they look forward to it!
IV
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