Iran's Houthis fire missiles at global shipping, risk closing red sea

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How should we respond to missile fire at merchant ships?

  • Declare War on Yemen

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Declare War on Iran

    Votes: 5 14.7%
  • Alternative response

    Votes: 23 67.6%
  • No response is needed

    Votes: 6 17.6%

  • Total voters
    34
  • Poll closed .

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,716
10,021
136
Its all prophecy isnt it?

US had incentive to secure global shipping routes after WW2, those incentives are eroding.
That was an interesting point of view on the subject, two months ago. Good predictive power there.

Do we really not rely on international shipping that much? That we can afford not to care?
Suppose there is a stark contrast to Middle East / Europe... and Asia / America. Atlantic VS Pacific shipping.
Do we rely that much more on the Pacific instead?

What about the global price of oil and gas?
Can we shrug those off, force our products to remain at home, and enjoy lower prices while the rest of the world burns?
I don't think we want Europe to suffer, if they grow unstable at a time of Russia marching on them.... right wing national zeal plus large scale arms production will lead to a lot of fracturing and violence.
 

cytg111

Lifer
Mar 17, 2008
26,128
15,567
136
That was an interesting point of view on the subject, two months ago. Good predictive power there.

Do we really not rely on international shipping that much? That we can afford not to care?
Suppose there is a stark contrast to Middle East / Europe... and Asia / America. Atlantic VS Pacific shipping.
Do we rely that much more on the Pacific instead?

What about the global price of oil and gas?
Can we shrug those off, force our products to remain at home, and enjoy lower prices while the rest of the world burns?
I don't think we want Europe to suffer, if they grow unstable at a time of Russia marching on them.... right wing national zeal plus large scale arms production will lead to a lot of fracturing and violence.
Europe is sort of in the same boat, pun, as the US. If there is no cheap labor in China then what? Why? It's all coming home to roost... But when you factor in automation and AI you'd almost, like almost, think someone was orchestrating this shit. The pieces fit so perfectly....

Shit is about to change over the next decade.

Speaking on nationalism and right wing extremism, while we have a taste, both Europe and the US, I think it's nothing compared to what is going down in Russia(well duh) and subsequently China in a few years and its going to get a lot worse.. With a little luck we're(US, EU) on the other side of that curve and we'll manage to squash it. (Thanks Brexit).
But a full blown Reich with nukes? Two Reich's with nukes? Holy fuck man. That's gonna be fun.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,716
10,021
136
It would appear that Iran is not just providing supplies, but is directly and actively engaged in the drones and missiles used on commercial ships transiting the Red Sea.
This is, by all accounts, an Iranian operation conducted by their proxy. With the proxy simply pulling the trigger, and Iran doing the rest of the work. From weapons to real time targeting via their own presence.

Any Iranian assets in the region should be targeted and destroyed.
Attacks demand counter attacks.

Iranian Spy Ship Helps Houthis Direct Attacks on Red Sea Vessels

Iran’s paramilitary forces are providing real-time intelligence and weaponry, including drones and missiles, to Yemen’s Houthis that the rebels are using to target ships passing through the Red Sea, Western and regional security officials said.
Tracking information gathered by a Red Sea surveillance vessel controlled by Iran’s paramilitary forces is given to the Houthis, who have used it to attack commercial vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait in recent days, according to the officials.


Oil Posts Biggest Weekly Gain in Two Months on Red Sea Chaos

Oil posted the biggest weekly gain since October as attacks in the Red Sea forced hundreds of ships to take safer but longer routes, delaying the delivery of oil cargoes.
 

GodisanAtheist

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2006
8,312
9,688
136
Yep, Iran almost looks like it's begging for an ass kicking at this point. I dunno what their goal or game plan is here other than almost immediately piss everyone off l, unless there is some back channel negotiations happening on Iranian funds or something.
 

Leeea

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2020
3,799
5,566
136
It would appear that Iran is not just providing supplies, but is directly and actively engaged in the drones and missiles used on commercial ships transiting the Red Sea.
This is, by all accounts, an Iranian operation conducted by their proxy. With the proxy simply pulling the trigger, and Iran doing the rest of the work. From weapons to real time targeting via their own presence.

Any Iranian assets in the region should be targeted and destroyed.
Attacks demand counter attacks.

Iranian Spy Ship Helps Houthis Direct Attacks on Red Sea Vessels

Iran’s paramilitary forces are providing real-time intelligence and weaponry, including drones and missiles, to Yemen’s Houthis that the rebels are using to target ships passing through the Red Sea, Western and regional security officials said.
Tracking information gathered by a Red Sea surveillance vessel controlled by Iran’s paramilitary forces is given to the Houthis, who have used it to attack commercial vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait in recent days, according to the officials.


Oil Posts Biggest Weekly Gain in Two Months on Red Sea Chaos

Oil posted the biggest weekly gain since October as attacks in the Red Sea forced hundreds of ships to take safer but longer routes, delaying the delivery of oil cargoes.
For the record, Iranian assets should not be directly engaged by any known parties.


It would be best if they just randomly exploded. Malfunctions happen.

Large ex-soviet missiles of the type used by Hezbollah just slam into oil depots. Nobody knows how that one was was aimed at Iran's only oil terminal. It certainly was not captured in Lebanon, or in Gaza, or Ukraine, or fired by Hezbollah, or in Houthi occupied territory, or just sold on the international market to the highest bidder.

As for who fired it? Who knows. Iran has lots of enemies and not many friends. My bet is on Greenpeace, they don't like tankers being shot and spilling oil in environmentally sensitive areas.


Shit happens. -- shrug --
 
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Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,716
10,021
136
Something... fishy... occurred in the Arabian Sea not far from India.

Drone Strike Hits 'Israel-Linked' Trade Vessel Near Indian Coast; At Least 21 Indian Crew Members on Board

*Note, no one was injured by the blast. Ship is sailing to the nearest port.

Yemen probably didn't do this (Iran maybe), but their naval attacks have sparked interest in terrorism against global shipping. Now that IEDs can behave like guided missiles (drones), the barrier to entry for anomalously bombing and taking down a ship is rather low these days. Sinking ships at sea is no longer the exclusive domain of naval or military powers. We are entering a dangerous new era.
 
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Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,716
10,021
136
Iran threatens to close Mediterranean Sea citing US ‘crimes’ in Gaza
“They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar and other waterways,” state media Tasnim quoted Iranian Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi as saying.

Iran vows to attack more ships and close more waterways in the world.
Guess they quickly got tired of hiding behind a proxy. That didn't take long....

Before I would have agreed that pressure on Yemen could get them to back down.
Now I figure only a complete and total war to destroy Iran will solve this, and their supplying Russia. Two birds with one stone.
 
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Drach

Golden Member
Apr 24, 2022
1,361
2,094
106
Iran threatens to close Mediterranean Sea citing US ‘crimes’ in Gaza
“They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar and other waterways,” state media Tasnim quoted Iranian Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi as saying.

Iran vows to attack more ships and close more waterways in the world.
Guess they quickly got tired of hiding behind a proxy. That didn't take long....

Before I would have agreed that pressure on Yemen could get them to back down.
Now I figure only a complete and total war to destroy Iran will solve this, and their supplying Russia. Two birds with one stone.
Looks like it's time to call their bluff .
 
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Ajay

Lifer
Jan 8, 2001
16,094
8,114
136
Iran threatens to close Mediterranean Sea citing US ‘crimes’ in Gaza
“They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar and other waterways,” state media Tasnim quoted Iranian Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi as saying.

Iran vows to attack more ships and close more waterways in the world.
Guess they quickly got tired of hiding behind a proxy. That didn't take long....

Before I would have agreed that pressure on Yemen could get them to back down.
Now I figure only a complete and total war to destroy Iran will solve this, and their supplying Russia. Two birds with one stone.
lol! The Straight of Gibraltar. That’s going to go so well for Iran.
 
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MrSquished

Lifer
Jan 14, 2013
26,067
24,395
136
Every now and then I push the "see ignored content" button and stuff like this pops up.
Though often related, mental illness and hate are a bad combination. The only advice I can offer is that if you can get past feeling weak and helpless, you'll find the hate and anger will recede. They won't go away, but the rage you feel will abate to tolerable levels.
Best of luck to you.

every now and then. oh I'm sure it's more than that. look, just about everyone here knows the total lack of humanity you have except you and maybe two people.

I should calm down, but soulles ghoul white christo-fascist nationalists really get to me. Especially when too may people are missing the clear warning signs.History has proven a hundred thousand times over that you people are a threat to humanity.

I'm working on being less chippy to scum in therapy, but at least I don't have to work on not being an utterly shitty human being like most of y'all 'moderate right of center folks'. i trolled a bit too hard to bring out a couple of you worst fucks, and I did, but I went too far apparently.

i don't think the guy that wished me dead should be banned. I could give a sht. I want those evil shites to post so everyone can know the enemy. Let the guy post.

to you his posting history is ok, but to any decent folks, it's a symptom of an evil person. In any serious discussion I have argued always against pre-emptive violence. Vehemently. I'll be better at trolling the trash going forward.
 

MrSquished

Lifer
Jan 14, 2013
26,067
24,395
136
LOL You were caught and hoisted on your own Petard and exposed for being a vile and nasty person. Now you are back pedaling frantically.

Not stalking at all. Sometimes I have to laugh at your silly posts.

Umm I clearly didn't call you a stalker. I mean literally, learn to read.

I was trying to troll you because I know what you are at your core, but unfortunately got banned before I could finish the troll.

Anybody who is on here a lot knows I have vehemently argued against pre-emptive violence against the right wing and red states on here in any serious discussion, and certain people have tried to goad me into it to boot.
 

GodisanAtheist

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2006
8,312
9,688
136
every now and then. oh I'm sure it's more than that. look, just about everyone here knows the total lack of humanity you have except you and maybe two people.

I should calm down, but soulles ghoul white christo-fascist nationalists really get to me. Especially when too may people are missing the clear warning signs.History has proven a hundred thousand times over that you people are a threat to humanity.

I'm working on being less chippy to scum in therapy, but at least I don't have to work on not being an utterly shitty human being like most of y'all 'moderate right of center folks'. i trolled a bit too hard to bring out a couple of you worst fucks, and I did, but I went too far apparently.

i don't think the guy that wished me dead should be banned. I could give a sht. I want those evil shites to post so everyone can know the enemy. Let the guy post.

to you his posting history is ok, but to any decent folks, it's a symptom of an evil person. In any serious discussion I have argued always against pre-emptive violence. Vehemently. I'll be better at trolling the trash going forward.

- I *couldn't* give a shit.
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,340
4,973
136
Oh you fucking poor simpleton. I was trolling, and I caught a long time admirer stalker of mine.

I mean long time obsessed. Amusing.

Also, if PC geeks entire village was bombed, come on, we all know we'd be better off as a species. Seriously.

Umm I clearly didn't call you a stalker. I mean literally, learn to read.


It appears that the message I responded too clearly has the word "stalker". Maybe you were talking about someone else but I was the only one mentioned in the post by name.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,716
10,021
136
We continue to down small numbers of both drones and ballistic missiles.
The challenge of halfhearted defense to maintain international shipping continues...

No Sign Houthis Will Halt Red Sea Attacks, Says US

Yemen's Houthi rebels show no signs of ending their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, the top commander of U.S. naval forces in the Middle East said Saturday.
Since the U.S. announced Operation Prosperity Guardian about 10 days ago, 1,200 merchant ships have traveled through the Red Sea region, and none has been hit by drone or missile strikes, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said in an Associated Press interview.
...
There are five warships from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom patrolling the waters of the southern Red Sea and the western Gulf of Aden, said Cooper, who heads the 5th Fleet. Since the operation started, the ships have shot down a total of 17 drones and four anti-ship ballistic missiles, he said.
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,340
4,973
136
They need to make a statement in Iran. By a statement I mean like sinking their Navy or something Iran cares about. Shooting down their missiles and drones has no meaning. The same holds true for all those attacks on our troops in Syria and Iraq.
 

Puffnstuff

Lifer
Mar 9, 2005
16,197
4,881
136
They need to make a statement in Iran. By a statement I mean like sinking their Navy or something Iran cares about. Shooting down their missiles and drones has no meaning. The same holds true for all those attacks on our troops in Syria and Iraq.
I remember back when the Pentagon has a middle east grand tour and Iran was the last stop on it that never happened. If we wait much longer it will involve nukes. We need to destroy all of their military capacity and punish their infrastructure so they won't be able to threaten anyone. They need to go back to those fabulous persian rugs they are famous for making.

Reagan should've smoked them for the hostage situation.
 
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Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,716
10,021
136
Well that didn't take long. We let one slip through.
On the plus side, it appears the missile did not pack much of a punch. Or maybe it could only detonate on the cargo instead of the hull.

We cannot remain on defense here. Either attack the proxy, or attack the source of the weapons. Unless the United States truly means to surrender the oceans and global shipping along with it. We need a President to tell us the truth of the matter, not sit idly by while the Pentagon moves a few assets that are incapable of doing an assignment they never should have been given in the first place. The only defense against these attacks is the murder and destruction of your enemy. The time is past due to return fire.

Maersk Ship Hit by Missile in the Red Sea


 
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cytg111

Lifer
Mar 17, 2008
26,128
15,567
136
Shit. What if this timestream is the one where Bolton was right and Iran should have been dealt with already.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,716
10,021
136
After striking the Hangzhou with one of three ballistic missiles, Houthis launched four small boats to finish the job.
US responded to the ship's second distress call in 12 hours, came under fire, and we returned fire.

Not exactly what I meant earlier. Defense is good and all, but losses will be incurred. Shipping will halt. The mission will fail unless we escalate. Got to take the fight to them.

US Navy sinks 3 Houthi boats attacking merchant ship in Red Sea

U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire and and sank three small boats carrying Houthi militants in the Red Sea on Sunday, after U.S. warships responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel, military officials said.
A Maersk container ship, the Singapore-flagged Hangzhou, issued a distress call at about 6:30 a.m. local time, U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Sunday. The merchant vessel said four small boats were attacking it.


 

Puffnstuff

Lifer
Mar 9, 2005
16,197
4,881
136
The Houthi's land assets should already have been turned into smoldering ruins along with Iran and all of the bad actors under their influence in the region.
 
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Dave_5k

Platinum Member
May 23, 2017
2,007
3,820
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After striking the Hangzhou with one of three ballistic missiles, Houthis launched four small boats to finish the job.
US responded to the ship's second distress call in 12 hours, came under fire, and we returned fire.

Not exactly what I meant earlier. Defense is good and all, but losses will be incurred. Shipping will halt. The mission will fail unless we escalate. Got to take the fight to them.

US Navy sinks 3 Houthi boats attacking merchant ship in Red Sea

U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire and and sank three small boats carrying Houthi militants in the Red Sea on Sunday, after U.S. warships responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel, military officials said.
A Maersk container ship, the Singapore-flagged Hangzhou, issued a distress call at about 6:30 a.m. local time, U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Sunday. The merchant vessel said four small boats were attacking it.


Even after the missile strike and small arms fire from the boats on the Maersk commercial ship, the navy came in with... loudspeakers ordering them to back off. Only when the pirates fired on the naval helicopters did the Navy begin to return fire.

The Navy's rules of engagement are completely messed up right now ~ not engaging ballistic missile launch sites, and refusing to engage armed pirates even in the middle of acts of piracy - except when the Navy is actively being fired upon. And then letting pirates go free to attack another ship as soon as they stop firing. Those passive-defensive rules of engagement have zero chance of fixing the problem, and are ultimately Biden's responsibility.
 

Ajay

Lifer
Jan 8, 2001
16,094
8,114
136
Be a shame if your nice little ship was sent to explore the ocean bottom.

The Alborz destroyer, operating as a military vessel of the 94th flotilla of the Iranian navy, crossed the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and entered the Red Sea on Monday.
 
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