Does Iran WANT a War?

Fri   23 Mar 2007   10:19 by Kevin McGehee 58° and fair 8 comments [War] [Yippee-Ki-Yay!]

Iran captured fifteen British Royal Navy personnel during a “routine boarding operation” in Iraqi waters on Friday, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said. » Reuters:   Iran seizes British navy personnel in Iraqi waters Fifteen British Navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says. The men were seized at 1030 local time when they boarded a boat in the Gulf, off the coast of Iraq, which they suspected was smuggling cars. The Royal Navy said it was doing everything it could to secure the release of its personnel, who are based on HMS Cornwall. It added that the men had been carrying out a routine patrol in Iraqi waters. » BBC:   UK sailors captured at gunpoint Iranian naval vessels seized 15 British sailors in Iraqi waters on Friday, the Ministry of Defense said. » AP:   Iran nabs British sailors in Iraq waters The Government is demanding the “immediate and safe return” of 15 British sailors and Marines seized at gunpoint by Iranian forces. They were taking part in a routine operation boarding merchant ships in Iraqi territorial waters when they were taken captive by Iranian naval vessels. » Sky News:   British Forces Held By Iran Historically, acts like this have often been a first step down the path to war. Whether that path is walked this time, depends on Tehran.

 

epador said: It didn’t work with the Pueblo. Let’s see, who was our President then? Then there was this little disagreement in the Southern Hemisphere when the UK felt it’s sovereignty threatened.  I wonder how the Iranian Navy compares to the Argentinean Navy? » Sat   24 Mar 2007   9:21 Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life said: Historically, acts like this have often been a first step down the path to war. Only in the sissy modern era. Historically, acts like this have been the start of a war. » Sat   24 Mar 2007   19:59 Richard said: I just got home from work a little while ago, so I really don’t know if they are related or not, but apparently the UN has decided to impose sanctions against Iran because of their nuclear program. » Sat   24 Mar 2007   23:15 Ivan Ivanovich said: When are the Brits going to release the satalite photos showing the boarding to be in Iraqi waters? And where was the overwhelming force of the Royal Navy? » Sun   25 Mar 2007   7:11 Kevin McGehee said: When are the Brits going to release the satellite photos showing the boarding to be in Iraqi waters? Hmmm. Remember the way we pwn3d the Soviets at the UN after they shot down KAL 007? I can hope, anyway. » Sun   25 Mar 2007   8:02 Ivan Ivanovich said: Lord Triesman, a Foreign Office undersecretary who had held talks with Iran’s ambassador on Saturday, told Sky News there was good evidence the men were in Iraqi waters, but that the issue of whether the sailors had strayed into Iranian waters was only a technical one. “I’ve been very clear throughout that the British forces do not ever intentionally enter into Iranian waters,“ he said. “There’s no reason for them to do so, we don’t intend to do so” —————————————————————————— These guys were in small boats sent out from the frigate HMS Cornwall. So what were they doing on the Cornwall while all this was going on? Are we to beleive that the Royal Navy does not have the firepower to take out the whole Iranian Navy in about 5 minutes? Sounds like a Rules of Engagement issue to me. Where is Sir Winston when we need him. » Sun   25 Mar 2007   15:33 Kevin McGehee said: Sounds like a Rules of Engagement issue to me. Absolutely. Iran is taking the chance that the coalition is unwilling to start a bona fide shooting war over a few men. I’ve concluded that this is about trying to win the release of 300 Iranians who have been captured at various times in Iraq and are being held by the U.S. Using non-Americans is a strategic choice; it introduces intra-alliance political pressure. Iran has probably been watching British offshore inspection activities for weeks looking for an opportunity. » Sun   25 Mar 2007   15:48 Kevin McGehee said: I’ve concluded that this is about trying to win the release of 300 Iranians who have been captured at various times in Iraq and are being held by the U.S. Confirmed. Update: And now denied. Or at least, they’re denying they’ll use the Brits to bargain for the release of five Iranians. For 300…? » Sun   25 Mar 2007   16:47 You must be registered and logged in to comment.