Free Republic

Iran has built up its naval forces in the Gulf and prepared boats that could be used in suicide attacks, but the U.S. Navy can prevent it from blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the commander of U.S. naval forces in the region said on Sunday. Iran has made a series of threats in recent weeks to disrupt shipping in the Gulf or strike U.S. forces in retaliation if its oil trade is shut down by sanctions, or if its disputed nuclear program comes under attack. "They have increased the number of submarines ... they increased the number of fast attack...

Iraq Orders Fast Rubber Boats for Suicide OperationsIraq has obtained inflatible motorized boats from Yugoslavia for suicide missions against United States and allied forces in the Persian Gulf.Western Intelligence sources identified the vessels as Zodiac-class boats procured from companies in the Balkans.The boats were purchased by Syria and smuggled into Iraq for use by a new suicide unit formed by the regieme of President Saddam Hussein._Full Text, Subscribers

US and British navies are more worried about al Qaeda strikes on ships in the event of war with Iraq than anything Saddam Hussein could throw at them, the deputy allied sea commander said today. British Rear Admiral David Snelson said that air patrols over the so-called "no-fly" zones and sanctions-enforcing sea patrols have long since neutralised many of the threats that Iraq could present to the 130-odd coalition ships now positioned off its shore. But commanders fear Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda militant network could respond to war in the Gulf with suicide strikes against ships like those against...