Good ol' Peace Lovin Iran at it again...

[spacejamz]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/22/egypt.iran.warships/

Hosni's seat hasn't even cooled off yet and they are stirring up a hornet's nest by sending 2 of their naval vessels into the Mediterrean through the Suez Canal which is the first time Iranian ships have used the canal since 1979...

I will give them props for the excuse they are using though...

The vessels, a frigate and supply ship, are on a yearlong intelligence-gathering mission to prepare cadets to defend Iran's cargo ships and oil tankers from the threat of attack by Somali pirates, Iranian officials have said, according to Fars.

Just how exactly does 'gathering' intel prepare a cadet to defend a cargo ship against a pirate?

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Just how exactly does 'gathering' intel prepare a cadet to defend a cargo ship against a pirate?

I guess it's the same as US warships going through refresher training at Gitmo prepares the Captain/crew for wartime conditions/worse case scenarios.

 

[K1052]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/22/egypt.iran.warships/

Hosni's seat hasn't even cooled off yet and they are stirring up a hornet's nest by sending 2 of their naval vessels into the Mediterrean through the Suez Canal which is the first time Iranian ships have used the canal since 1979...

I will give them props for the excuse they are using though...

The vessels, a frigate and supply ship, are on a yearlong intelligence-gathering mission to prepare cadets to defend Iran's under the table Russian arms shipments ships from the threat of capture by Mossad agents, Iranian officials have said, according to Fars.

Just how exactly does 'gathering' intel prepare a cadet to defend a cargo ship against a pirate?

fixed that middle part

 

[EagleKeeper]

They have every right to transit the Canal. the excuse provided does not have to be accurate. They followed proper procedure and Egypt is obligated to follow also.

If they choose to offload supplies to Syria, that is between the two countries. Others may not like it, but it is fully legit.

Giving supplies to Hezbollah is different; that goes against the disengagement agreement.
That issue can be bypassed by just providing the supplies to Lebanon itself.

 

[spacejamz]

They have every right to transit the Canal. the excuse provided does not have to be accurate. They followed proper procedure and Egypt is obligated to follow also.

If they choose to offload supplies to Syria, that is between the two countries. Others may not like it, but it is fully legit.

Giving supplies to Hezbollah is different; that goes against the disengagement agreement.
That issue can be bypassed by just providing the supplies to Lebanon itself.

My question is why all of sudden now? Pirates have been hijacking vessels for years. I am sure Hosni's departure is pure coincidence though, don't you think???

Surely it would not be to agitate an already sensitive area (because people who want peace would never ever do that) to see how far they can push, would it???

Besides, what's wrong with anti-pirate training in waters directly off Iran's coast? Does the water in the Med provide better training or something?

 

[Lemon law]

The Iranian frigate is only 1500 tons, and its supply vessel weighs in a 33,000 tons. Between them hardly a big threat to Israel. If anything, the supply ship poses greater immediate range threat because it can carry and launch up to 3 helicopters. While the frigate is armed with Torpedo's and anti-ship missiles.

But still, if either ship tried any war like act against Israel, both would be almost instantly sunk by the Israeli Air force.

But I do wonder if both ships might be later used to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, especially since the UN has ruled the Israeli blockade of Gaza is illegitimate.

 

[K1052]

But I do wonder if both ships might be later used to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, especially since the UN has ruled the Israeli blockade of Gaza is illegitimate.

I sort of doubt the Israelis would be too worried about what the UN says if those warships of a foreign country were used in an attempt to break the blockade. They'd be decorating the bottom of the Med before you can say "casus belli".

Anyway, I think the Iranians are just doing this it to annoy the Israelis.

 

[brandonb]

So driving 2 ships though an arab canal is a problem?

 

[JEDIYoda]

But I do wonder if both ships might be later used to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, especially since the UN has ruled the Israeli blockade of Gaza is illegitimate.

Your a real winner aren`t you??
The mushrooms must be good this morning....
Keep dreaming!!

 

[Narmer]

My question is why all of sudden now? Pirates have been hijacking vessels for years. I am sure Hosni's departure is pure coincidence though, don't you think???

Surely it would not be to agitate an already sensitive area (because people who want peace would never ever do that) to see how far they can push, would it???

Besides, what's wrong with anti-pirate training in waters directly off Iran's coast? Does the water in the Med provide better training or something?

Why do you suppose it to be sensitive? It isn't, at least not for 99% of Egyptians. It was only sensitive for Israel, the US, and the Mubarak regime. As CC said, so long as they follow procedures they are in the right. IMHO, it was to test the waters and let the Israelis know that this is a new reality and that there is no going back.

 

[JEDIYoda]

They have every right to transit the Canal. the excuse provided does not have to be accurate. They followed proper procedure and Egypt is obligated to follow also.

If they choose to offload supplies to Syria, that is between the two countries. Others may not like it, but it is fully legit.

Giving supplies to Hezbollah is different; that goes against the disengagement agreement.
That issue can be bypassed by just providing the supplies to Lebanon itself.

I totally agree they have a right to show the colors of their flag!!

 

[spacejamz]

Why do you suppose it to be sensitive? It isn't, at least not for 99% of Egyptians. It was only sensitive for Israel, the US, and the Mubarak regime. As CC said, so long as they follow procedures they are in the right. IMHO, it was to test the waters and let the Israelis know that this is a new reality and that there is no going back.

This is just what that area of the worlds needs right now, don't you agree? Saber rattling in the Middle East is good because it breaks the every day boredom that currently exists over there. Pretty sure the Israelis get bored waiting for the next rocket attack from across the border so this should alleviate that boredom.

 

[JEDIYoda]

gotta love those peace loving Iranians!! Always the life of the party!!

 

[Genx87]

Probably hoping to provoke Israel into an incident to solidify the population at home. Right now Iran is next on the list of this wave of protesting to topple govts.

 

[EagleKeeper]

But I do wonder if both ships might be later used to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, especially since the UN has ruled the Israeli blockade of Gaza is illegitimate.

I sort of doubt the Israelis would be too worried about what the UN says if those warships of a foreign country were used in an attempt to break the blockade. They'd be decorating the bottom of the Med before you can say "casus belli".

Anyway, I think the Iranians are just doing this it to annoy the Israelis.

Iran has been out of the news recently. Like NK; they need to feel "appreciated"

They held off sending the vessels through until they knew that Egypt would not hinder them.

If they want to drop off supplies for Gaza an an Egyptian port; all the more power to them.

They are not going to support the 'shroom by attempting to deliver to Gaza. They do not have the firepower to force the issue.

On they go - staying well clear of Israeli waters up to Syria and/or Lebanon for an unloading of munitions.

Now if the supply vessel were to be disabled by a mine floating around the Med, who can say where the mine came from. There are a lot of old contact/magnetic mines that could break free of their mooring cable and float toward the surface. Iran would be sure to point the finger at Israel though.

Iran even planted some a few years ago in the Gulf.:whiste:

 

[K1052]

lol...it would be ironic on an epic scale if the Israelis disabled the supply ship using an old Iranian mine. They probably have some laying around somewhere, they never throw out any military hardware that might someday come in handy.

 

[Karl Agathon]

Probably hoping to provoke Israel into an incident to solidify the population at home. Right now Iran is next on the list of this wave of protesting to topple govts.

+1

Even if those ships pass through with no incidents, its still a propoganda win for the Iranian regime. Now if there were some sort of incident, it would be even better for Iran because then the distraction of its people focusing on something else will favor it.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Probably hoping to provoke Israel into an incident to solidify the population at home. Right now Iran is next on the list of this wave of protesting to topple govts.

Never happen!! You and Lemon law are eating the same mushrooms!!
The difference between Iran and Egypt are many!!
The Egyptian military actually cares about the Egyptian people!
The Iranian military would have no problems slaughtering protesters!!

 

[Texashiker]

Just how exactly does 'gathering' intel prepare a cadet to defend a cargo ship against a pirate?

More like - they want to see if a ship can get within missile range of Israel.

Iran is supposed to have nuclear weapons when? Their probably working on a 2 or 3 pronged nuclear missile attack plan with the ships.

 

[Lemon law]

Never happen!! You and Lemon law are eating the same mushrooms!!
The difference between Iran and Egypt are many!!
The Egyptian military actually cares about the Egyptian people!
The Iranian military would have no problems slaughtering protesters!!

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The problem with the JediY position is that Iran does not equal Egypt.

Mubarak was simply looting the Egyptian people and fell of its own weight, and while the Mullah's of Iran are not looting the Iranian people, they are still restricting the political freedoms of the Iranian people.

And even if the Mullah's of Iran fall of their own weight, the Israeli problem will be, a future free Iran will remain Israeli hostile regardless if the Mullahs fall or not.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Why should a free Iran be hostile to Israel.

It is the existing leadership that is exhibiting hostilities.

 

[JEDIYoda]

The problem with the JediY position is that Iran does not equal Egypt.

Your too full of yourself to understand that many idiots on these forums think because the Egyptian Government fell peacefully that all the other Muslim nations in the area are ripe for the same thing to happen. Actually the truth be told the same people are basically in charge just not Mubarek~!
Which could not be farther from the truth!

Nowhere did I say what the outcome for Israel would be.
But just so you don`t get your panty all bunched up as long as there is more than one group representing the palestinian people in that region there will never be a lasting Peace at all.

 

[Lemon law]

Why should a free Iran be hostile to Israel.

It is the existing leadership that is exhibiting hostilities.

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Maybe I should have phrased my post better, regardless if the Mullahs of Iran fall or not, the Iranian people will remain committed to a peaceful nuclear energy electrical conversion for Iran.

As it is, its only the USA and Israel that are still in a snit about losing a corrupt Shah of Iran.

And now danger danger danger for the USA, a new mid-east liberation movement may even bring down the House of Faud in Saudi Arabia before all is done. As for Iraq, any stability there is there is far wider than it is deep. As for Iran, its set its own foreign policy despite a 30 year effort of the USA and Israel to wreck Iran.

But ironically, Iran is not really a part of the Mid-East, Iran is Persian and Shiite, and Iran's future is really towards the East, for the vast Natural gas markets of the India economy. As for Iran at this point in time, after cementing alliances with Syria, and Turkey, as a side issue, why should not Iran have a small naval presence in the Mediterranean sea? As a naval power, Iran is a pipsqueak, but it shows Iran in in solidarity with mid-east regime change. Meanwhile back at the Iranian ranch, the Mullah's of Iran may be the next regime to fall.

But if Iran build a pipeline To India, it may be in US interests, as it will bail the USA out of problems in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

[Lemon law]

As for the Jediy idiot position, as change sweeps the mid-east, Israel will continue to be more and more isolated, as its military superiority gradually puts Israel into the category of a pariah State. As Israel, it can only helplessly watch as its international creditability keep melting and melting.

As for Israel, it can redeem itself, when it gives Bozo Netanyuhu and its settler party idiots the ole heave ho. Regime change will come to Israel also.

 

[wuliheron]

Iran is a nation under siege with the US now right next door in Iraq. Suddenly cruising the Mediterranean when everyone else is revolting against their more secular dictators is a not so subtle reminder that an Islamic state exists as an alternative. It provides moral support for groups the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and helps to sway those sitting on the fence.