Posted on 12/26/2011 8:31:41 AM PST by Hojczyk
Iran's navy has started a 10-day drill in international waters near the strategic oil route that passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The exercises, dubbed "Velayat 90", could bring Iranian ships into proximity with United States Navy vessels in the area. "Velayat" is a Persian word for "supremacy" and it is currently used as a title of deference for the Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The war games cover a 2,000km stretch of sea off the Strait of Hormuz, northern parts of the Indian Ocean and into the Gulf of Aden, near the entrance to the Red Sea, state television reported.
The drill will be Iran's latest show of strength in the face of mounting international criticism over its controversial nuclear programme, which the West fears is aimed at developing atomic weapons. Tehran denies those charges, insisting the program is for peaceful purposes only.
Adm Habibollah Sayyari, the navy chief, said Iran is holding the drill to show off its prowess and defense capabilities.
"To show off its might, the navy needs to be present in international waters. It's necessary to demonstrate the navy's defense capabilities," state TV quoted Sayyari as saying.
Sayyari said submarines, surface-to-sea missile systems, missile-launching vessels, torpedoes and drones will be employed in the maneuvers.
Strategic waterway
The Strait of Hormuz is of strategic significance as the passageway for about a third of the world's oil tanker traffic. Beyond it lie vast bodies of water, including the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The US Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet is also active in the area, as are warships of several other countries that patrol for pirates there.
Iran regularly holds war games and has also been active in fighting piracy. Both the US and Israel have not ruled out a military option
I
(Excerpt) Read more at aljazeera.com ...
Let the Naval games begin!
If a US sub torpedoes an Iranian sub in the Straights of Hormuz, would anyone notice?
Destroy every sub they have, and then deny it. Shadow every paddle boat they put on the surface, just to let them know what a navy is
I have an idea, but I better not post it where the terrorists could read and copy it...lol.
Imho, this is the last thing Iran should be doing. It’s stupid.
An old story that floats around every now and then;
Heard over guard channel;
“Unidentified aircraft, you are violating iranian airspace.”
“We are a US aircraft operating in neutral airspace.”
“ Unidentified aircraft, leave the area immediately or we
will send our fighters.”
“We are United States Marine Corps F-18’s, send them up, we’ll wait.”
No reply
Doubtful.
Love it. Thanks for sharing.
Nothing prettier than screaming, drowning Iranian sailors just after their ships have been sunk by American and Nato weaponry. Go ahead and practice. Be sure to work on your abandon ship procedures very carefully.
time for some mysterious naval explosions
Once they get a nuke, you can bet your beans that they will want to hit Israel AND if possible hit a US carrier in the gulf. Sinking a nuke US carrier would be huge for international terrorism and gee-had world wide. It is a long shot, yes, but so was Pearl Harbor and 9-1-1. Anything can happen.
This is the first closing of a “sea gate” in quite awhile.The last time I believe it was Suez back in the 70’s. Come to think of it the islamists have the ability to close a number of other sea gates now.
There will be “incidents.”
“The exercises, dubbed “Velayat 90”, could bring Iranian ships into proximity with United States Navy vessels in the area.”
one of these days there will be an accident that
will draw the US into a war with iran.
During this exercise, the Iranians plan to show off their superior tech and elint - to disrupt the US battle groups comms. They are confident now that they have captured a US drone that they have the superior tech and can overcome US weapons and stealth tech as well.
“They have won control of secret US cyber technology and are now capable of overpowering the advanced military and intelligence systems aboard US aircraft carriers, warships and fighter-bomber jets.” - debkafile.
>>If a US sub torpedoes an Iranian sub in the Straights of Hormuz, would anyone notice?<<
Blup blup blup
The goal in their minds would be to set off an economic chain reaction that might reverberate across the globe by sinking tankers in the channel to inhibit the flow of crude.
Sounds good in theory.
Problem being, when fire and brimstone begins to rain down on top of Iran, all the capabilities they believe themselves to operate will be out of commission within the first couple of days.
Their ships will port after a long week of naval exercises, then remain at the bottom of the port...forever.
The Persians think too highly of their capability. Frankly, I wouldn't mind not only neutralizing Iran's nuke threat, but to lob a few extreeez in there just for a lil 79 payback.
Iron Bottom Sound, the sequel.
I bet Iranian sailors secretly curse Achmydinnerjacket and the Id’atoldya.
Would not surprise me to learn the Iranians have sacrificed their navy in order to sucker us into a war with China or Russia.
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