Iran Begins WarGames in International Waters

[Conley]

The war games cover a 1,250-mile (2,000-kilometer) 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 TV reported.

The drill will be Iran’s latest show of strength in the face of mounting international criticism over its controversial nuclear program, which the West fears is aimed at developing atomic weapons. Tehran denies those charges, insisting the program is for peaceful purposes only.

Navy chief Adm. Habibollah Sayyari 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.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 U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet is also active in the area, as are warships of several other countries that patrol for pirates there.

Both the U.S. and Israel have not ruled out a military option against Iran over its nuclear program. Iranian hard-liners have come out with occasional threats that Tehran would seal off the key waterway if the U.S. or Israel moved against the country’s nuclear facilities.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/irans-navy-kicks-off-10-day-exercise-in-international-waters-near-strategic-oil-route/2011/12/24/gIQACA2IFP_story.html

I didn't know Iran even had a large enough navy to run such operations...still think in the event of an attack kamikaze speedboats will be their most effective option. Also, how are wargames "for peaceful activities only"? :laugh:

[Peter1469]

This will allow Western intel weenies the chance to see what Iran's capabilities are. If they can close the Strait of Hormuz the world would plunge into a depression.

[Conley]

This will allow Western intel weenies the chance to see what Iran's capabilities are. If they can close the Strait of Hormuz the world would plunge into a depression.

They could easily close it via mines, no?

Any attempt to blockade with naval vessels I assume would end with a lot of Iranian ships at the bottom of the sea.

[Mister D]

It will give Western planners a chance to plan if they haven't already made contingency plans.

[MMC]

No if they closed the straight of Hormuz.....Iran would become new Beach front Property for Western Man. Did we ever find out what happened to the fleet that Iran sent to Syria?

[jgreer]

A lot of tough talk in this thread. After losing in Afghanistan I dont think we should assume Iran would be easy

[MMC]

A lot of tough talk in this thread. After losing in Afghanistan I dont think we should assume Iran would be easy

Why would you say we are losing in Afghanistan JG?

[Mister D]

A lot of tough talk in this thread. After losing in Afghanistan I dont think we should assume Iran would be easy

We were nation building in Afghanistan. Huge difference.

[jgreer]

Why would you say we are losing in Afghanistan JG?



Well.....

We went in to take out the terrorists and the people who gave the terrorists a safe hideout. That was the Taliban right? And now we are saying the Taliban aren't the enemy and they are going to take over as soon as we leave

So I would say yes we lost

[jgreer]

We were nation building in Afghanistan. Huge difference.

If we knock off Ahamadinijad then aren't we responsible just like Saddam and IRaq? Wont people say we have to stay to fix it like they did before?

[jgreer]

Plus mayeb I am wrong but I think to take out Iran we need more than just bombs we need troops in there too

[Mister D]

Plus mayeb I am wrong but I think to take out Iran we need more than just bombs we need troops in there too

Perhaps but not troops there to play nice.

[Mister D]

If we knock off Ahamadinijad then aren't we responsible just like Saddam and IRaq? Wont people say we have to stay to fix it like they did before?

Some people may say that.

[Peter1469]

It is foolish and simplistic to claim that we are losing in Afghanistan because "We went in to take out the terrorists and the people who gave the terrorists a safe hideout. " We succeeded in driving the Taliban from power as punishment; we effectively destroyed al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Those were our goals, we met them. That is victory.

Our fetish with foolishly spreading Jeffersonian democracy across the globe is where we failed, as was foreseen by the bright among us. Thank you.

[Mister D]

Damn straight.

[Peter1469]

Iran is a different nut. We do not have the ability to invade it. Look at a topographical map. It is practically surrounded by mountain ranges. It would be impossible to get an army through there if the enemy defended the passes. The southeast boarder is flat, but a swamp.

[Conley]

I have to admit it does suck that the Taliban are all but assured of regaining power.

[MMC]

Most excellent call Peter. Both goals have been accomplished. AQ is virtually non-existent and the Taliban were punished. Plus we choked off that supply of opium to China. Watched the top Drug pusher in Afghanistan get taken out.(karzai's brother) Plus have kept Iran a bit nervous with being round their front door. Not to mention we have Iran surrounded. Always making them think will we or won't we. So not only is Afghanistan a victory. But it affected one of adversaries on a political front and another on their fix.

[Mister D]

You make an interesting point, MMC. I just looked it up. Afghanistan's neighbors consume most of the crop.

The UN's new "World Drug Report 2010" shows that while Afghanistan remains the world's largest opium producer, it is neighboring countries like Iran, Pakistan, and the former Soviet republics of Central Asia where a majority of the world's opium is consumed.

Afghanistan continues to account for 90 percent of the world's illicit opium and heroin production, and its neighbors for 60 percent of the global consumption.

By weight, users in those nearby countries consume more than twice as much opium per year as the as the rest of the world, at 600 tons to 340 tons.

In fact, although there are an estimated 4 million opium users worldwide, the UNODC says most usage is concentrated in Asia where there has been a long tradition of use compared to the West.

The study also estimates that Russia is the country with the highest national level of heroin consumption -- even though there are a higher number of heroin users in China.

http://www.rferl.org/content/UN_Afghanistan_Neighbors_Consume_Opium/2080450.html

[MMC]

Now does everybody really understand what those in these region are viewing us like. Because I am quite sure if you were to ask them if they wanted to come here and get out of the shit-holes they are living in. 98% would make the move.

Its not our politics they hate. Its us playing police man while being on the take. Thats Tons boys and girls. Tons. Still think they are some broke azz mofo's?

[Conley]

I knew Afghanistan produced a lot of opium even with our military presence there but I had no idea it ended up in Iran. Interesting, thanks for that D.

[MMC]

Has there been any pics on these games yet? Pics of their ships? Still nothing on the fleet they sent to Club Med and Syria.

[Conley]

Has there been any pics on these games yet? Pics of their ships? Still nothing on the fleet they sent to Club Med and Syria.

I haven't seen any photos, I admit I'm curious.

[MMC]

I haven't seen any photos, I admit I'm curious.

While I am to as well. I would still like to know what is up with that one fleet but I havent found anything on it.

[Conley]

Here is a little bit of info. They have so little to speak of.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_Iranian_Navy_Vessels

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Iranian_kilo_class_submarine.jpg

[MMC]

Russian.....those three they need to keep close to home.

[Conley]

Those three subs look tiny.

[MMC]

2500 Marines......:laugh: oooooh they in trouble!!!!!

[Peter1469]

Looks rusty

[MMC]

Oh.....is that why it looks like a Turd in the Water? :laugh: :grin:

[Mister D]

Now does everybody really understand what those in these region are viewing us like. Because I am quite sure if you were to ask them if they wanted to come here and get out of the shit-holes they are living in. 98% would make the move.

Its not our politics they hate. Its us playing police man while being on the take. Thats Tons boys and girls. Tons. Still think they are some broke azz mofo's?

I seriously doubt that Afghan opium is fetching a price in the neighboring states comparable to what major heroin dealers in the US or other rich countries are looking at. A lot of this stuff is smoked the way it's been for centuries.

[MMC]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EILn6QTYdqs

Notice there is not much on their Ships by Rueters.

[MMC]

http://img.allvoices.com/thumbs/event/609/480/89186557-irans-navy.jpg
http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1451692131085&id=6e0385249d899960e0433e90f9fed15e&url=http%3a%2f%2fxairforces.org%2fimages%2fcountry %2fIran%2fxpalane_seabird_iran_001.jpg http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1545833676869&id=9599d9584e9c3cbe3b2132b637d3727a&url=http%3a%2f%2fprevious.presstv.ir%2fphoto%2f201 11230%2ffathi20111230100147530.jpg

Here is a look at some of their hardware. :wink:

[MMC]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgmF_rO9v6g&feature=related

Guess this is the one they show overseas.....a bit more indepth. "D".....you won't need any sound with these. :wink:

[Conley]

All right, now we can see what we're dealing with. Thanks MMC, good videos.