Iran sending warships toward U.S.

[Hugh]

Washington (CNN) -- A senior Iranian naval official says Iran is sending warships toward U.S. maritime borders to send a message, a move a U.S. defense official characterized as an announcement, not a deployment.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/08/world/meast/iran-navy/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

I think there may be an incident coming soon...

[Space Commander Travis]

Sounds as much a load of flannel as the Dominant 323 stealth fighter. I think they've only got about three frigates, haven't 'they.

[BarnabasCollins]

If the Iranians do this, their ships will be "greeted" by a vastly superior U.S. Naval force.

[Lilly]

If this is indeed true, it's a pretty stupid move IMO.

[Gromdor]

Nothing wrong with approaching a maritime border. Crossing it is another matter. Just a bunch of harmless posturing.

[Space Commander Travis]

There's no way ion this or any other planet that the Iranian navy could conceivably be a threat to the Might of the U.S. Navy, at least until they get an aircraft carrier or SSBN, and besides, they've got a perfect right to go wherever they want until they get inside US Territorial waters (if they were really setting forth across the Atlantic, which I very much doubt, with the blue water experience that they have they'd be lucky to get anywhere near the US with all the storms in the Atlantic at this time of year.)

[The Silver Thong]

Since when did the U.S. own all the oceans.

"Freedom of the seas doesn't just apply to fish. It applies to all maritime nations, all navies, everywhere -- so long as they understand the responsibilities which come with that freedom," the defense official said``

Let them go anywhere they want. Until there is a threat whats the issue. Not like thay can launch an attack and if they did it`s suicide.

[+and-then]

There's no way ion this or any other planet that the Iranian navy could conceivably be a threat to the Might of the U.S. Navy, at least until they get an aircraft carrier or SSBN, and besides, they've got a perfect right to go wherever they want until they get inside US Territorial waters (if they were really setting forth across the Atlantic, which I very much doubt, with the blue water experience that they have they'd be lucky to get anywhere near the US with all the storms in the Atlantic at this time of year.)

They have a perfect right to passage as you said. They need the blue water experience and they seem ready to begin but if they actually take up positions and deploy regularly just outside our borders I imagine the Navy may "help" them in their training so they can get up to proficiency a bit faster

[+and-then]

Since when did the U.S. own all the oceans.

"Freedom of the seas doesn't just apply to fish. It applies to all maritime nations, all navies, everywhere -- so long as they understand the responsibilities which come with that freedom," the defense official said``

Let them go anywhere they want. Until there is a threat whats the issue. Not like thay can launch an attack and if they did it`s suicide.

Funny you should make your point that way. First - these guys practically invented the suicide belt and second they CAN attack soon - and to devastating effect. A single crude nuke atop a scud c launcher could shut down a significant part of America in the twinkling of an eye. So what if we sink a ship...or even if we nuked Tehran, America would become a 3rd world country in a day. EMP is real and it could be the end of America as we know it.c

[Thanato]

I bet there is an attack sub shadowing them or soon to keep eyes on.

Funny you should make your point that way. First - these guys practically invented the suicide belt and second they CAN attack soon - and to devastating effect. A single crude nuke atop a scud c launcher could shut down a significant part of America in the twinkling of an eye. So what if we sink a ship...or even if we nuked Tehran, America would become a 3rd world country in a day. EMP is real and it could be the end of America as we know it.c

They don't have a missile which could reach the US.

[Babe Ruth]

How many boats can the Iranian navy produce? 10 or 15? It's nearly land-locked where everybody rides camels, and we are worried about their navy?

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

Funny you should make your point that way. First - these guys practically invented the suicide belt and second they CAN attack soon - and to devastating effect. A single crude nuke atop a scud c launcher could shut down a significant part of America in the twinkling of an eye. So what if we sink a ship...or even if we nuked Tehran, America would become a 3rd world country in a day. EMP is real and it could be the end of America as we know it.c

Matey, America is a Third World Country already, you just have too much money in your pockets to realise it.

[Eldorado]

Matey, America is a Third World Country already, you just have too much money in your pockets to realise it.

Correction... a third-world country with the most powerful navy on the planet. (lol)

[Mr.United_Nations]

Didn't the Russians do something similar with their "Bear" bombers? flying to Cuba and Venezuela?

[Jeremiah65]

The Iranians are desperate to be recognized and accepted...this is a cry for attention and nothing more. It def isn't a threat even if that is the intention...it's not.

[krypter3]

Let's get real simple, attacking a UN nation is a death sentence. It would do nothing to benefit Iran, and everything to destroy it.

[aquatus1]

If the Iranians do this, their ships will be "greeted" by a vastly superior U.S. Naval force.

Agreed. The East Coast is the playground of the US Navy. Chances are the Iranian ships are going to be silently tracked for the sheer heck of it.

Since when did the U.S. own all the oceans.

Since we purchased them from the previous owner.

Nonsensical questions invite nonsensical answers.

"Freedom of the seas doesn't just apply to fish. It applies to all maritime nations, all navies, everywhere -- so long as they understand the responsibilities which come with that freedom," the defense official said``

And one of those responsibilities is obeying the Laws of the Sea, Territorial Waters being one aspect of it that has been around for millenia.

Let them go anywhere they want. Until there is a threat whats the issue. Not like thay can launch an attack and if they did it`s suicide.

You may not have noticed, but there are elements in that particular region who attack without threatening and don't much care about dying in the process.

[Neognosis]

1- They made an announcement. They haven't deployed any ships.

2- I don't know what our "maritime" borders are, but I suspect that they are pretty far from our actual coasts.

These are important points to consider.

[aquatus1]

Absolutely. In many ways, this announcement can be seen as a good thing. Once upon a time, they might have attempted to sneak up on the U.S., or just barge in unannounced to the borders of our territory. One could see this as politely informing us that they will be in the area, as civil countries do.

[Neognosis]

The title of this thread is very misleading.

[Gomar]

The Iranians just want to get a load of them topless hot latinas walking around Miami/South beach, or Ipanema, or Rio.

I saw a Pakistani war ship for Fleet Week in NYC. The sailors had long beards and stared at teen girls in shorts like they just saw aliens.

Reminds of a Russian nuclear sub that came over to Florida's gulf coast to inspect the waters for a Mexican oil drilling rig after the oil spill. They got so scared of the pollution that they went back home next day.

[Stardrive]

Until there is a threat whats the issue.

That some people like making an issue of something before it actually becomes one? lol

[+joc]

I think the only reason that Iran is sending warships toward the US...if indeed they are...is to drive up the price of gasoline in the US. Now...check this out...Today...February 8th in the US...I read about Iranian Warships headed toward the US. Just watch the price of gas at the pumps. Whereever you are it will jump significantly in the next couple of days. Every time the price of gas at the pump begins to go down...for some unknown (cough...Obama) reason...Iran rattles war sabres of some sort...and the price shoots back up. Interesting isn't it?

[Hugh]

More info in the USA Today article:

"The fleet, consisting of a destroyer and a helicopter-carrying supply ship, began its voyage last month from the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas. The ships, carrying some 30 navy academy cadets for training along with their regular crews, are on a three-month mission."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/02/08/iran-says-warships-headed-close-to-us-borders/5316199/

[aquatus1]

Hey, another "Shore Week" means a new source of income for the local ports!