Author Topic: Iran Crisis Thread (updates)  (Read 23129 times)

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Offline Right_in_Virginia

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Iran may attack Israel if U.S. standoff escalates: Israeli minister
Reuters, May 12, 2019

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli cabinet minister warned on Sunday of possible direct or proxy Iranian attacks on Israel should the stand-off between Tehran and Washington escalate.

The United States has increased economic and military pressure on Iran, with President Donald Trump on Thursday urging its leaders to talk to him about giving up their nuclear program and saying he could not rule out an armed confrontation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which supports Trump’s hard tack against its arch-foe, has largely been reticent about the spiraling tensions.

Parting with the silence, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said that, in the Gulf, “things are heating up”.

“If there’s some sort of conflagration between Iran and the United States, between Iran and its neighbors, I’m not ruling out that they will activate Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad from Gaza, or even that they will try to fire missiles from Iran at the State of Israel,” Steinitz, a member of Netanyahu’s security cabinet, told Israel’s Ynet TV.

Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad are Iranian-sponsored guerrilla groups on Israel’s borders, the former active in Syria as well as Lebanon and the latter in the Palestinian territories.

The Israeli military declined to comment when asked if it was making any preparations for possible threats linked to the Iran-U.S. standoff.

Israel has traded blows with Iranian forces in Syria, as well as with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian militants. But it has not fought an open war with Iran, a country on the other side of the Middle East.


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iran-israel/iran-may-attack-israel-if-us-standoff-escalates-israeli-minister-idUSKCN1SI05S

Offline thackney

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All this hoopla for nothing.  The USA has had one if not two carrier task groups in the Arabian Sea since before the attack on Iraq in 2003.

This kind of fake news reporting is ridiculous!

US aircraft carrier enters Persian Gulf after long absence
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/12/21/us-aircraft-carrier-enters-persian-gulf-after-long-absence/

.S. aircraft carrier sailed into the Persian Gulf on Friday, becoming the first since America’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in May and breaking the longest carrier absence in the volatile region since at least the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

The arrival of the John C. Stennis comes as Iranian officials have returned to repeatedly threatening to close off the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a third of all oil traded by sea passes. Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels shadowed the Stennis and its strike group, at one point launching rockets away from it and flying a drone nearby.

The long absence of a carrier, however, could become a standard practice here as now-outgoing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sought to shake up naval operations and American air bases spanning the region can scramble fighter jets and drones....
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Offline libertybele

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First assessment blames Iran for Middle East ship explosions, official says

An American military team assessing blasts that damaged four commercial ships off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sunday has blamed Iran or Iranian-backed proxies using explosive charges, a source told Fox News on Monday evening.

Each ship had a 5-to-10-foot hole in it, near or just below the water line, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. A Norwegian-flagged vessel, two Saudi oil tankers and a bunkering tanker flagged in Sharjah, one of the UAE's seven emirates, all suffered similar damage Sunday.

The UAE asked the U.S. to help investigate the damage, which Gulf officials have characterized as sabotage. UAE's state media said Sunday there had been "no injuries or fatalities on board the vessels" and "no spillage of harmful chemicals or fuel."

The U.S. has warned ships that "Iran or its proxies" could be targeting maritime traffic in the region, and America has moved additional ships and aircraft into the region..........

https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-middle-east-ship-explosions-assessment
Romans 12:16-21

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly, do not claim to be wiser than you are.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.  If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all…do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Offline TomSea

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US 'blames Iran' for damage to tankers in Gulf of Oman
« Reply #28 on: May 14, 2019, 02:29:41 pm »
Quote
US 'blames Iran' for damage to tankers in Gulf of Oman

US investigators believe Iran or groups it supports used explosives to damage four ships off the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, media reports say.


Military experts were reportedly sent to investigate the incident and found a large hole in each of the tankers.

No evidence has emerged to show that Iran was involved. The affected countries are yet to assign blame.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48264499

It would be a good way to pull us into a war for whomever did this.   We better be certain!

Offline TomSea

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We seem to be in a new phase of these hostilities, non-sticky the thread for now.

Offline TomSea

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Re: US 'blames Iran' for damage to tankers in Gulf of Oman
« Reply #30 on: May 14, 2019, 03:20:26 pm »
Quote
Yemeni Armed Drones Attack Saudi Oil Pipeline
The strike was believed to be backed by Iran, which warned Tuesday of U.S.-created ‘false flag attacks’ as the likelihood of conflict escalates.
By Paul D. Shinkman, Senior National Security Writer May 14, 2019, at 10:16 a.m.



A major oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia was struck by armed drones and temporarily shut down, the kingdom's energy minister said Tuesday, calling the move an "act of terrorism and sabotage" that marks the second attack on the Saudi oil infrastructure in as many days.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih did not directly identify the perpetrator of the attack but said the incidents prove the importance of the kingdom's continued conflict against terrorist groups, including the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen, according to the country's state news service. Oil prices spiked as a result of the attacks, Reuters reports.

Saudi Arabia continues to wage war in Yemen against those militias in what is considered a proxy conflict between the oil-rich gulf state and its arch-rival Iran, which backs the Houthis. U.S. and allied intelligence assessments indicate Iran was also behind sabotaging two Saudi oil tankers on Monday.

Read more at: https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2019-05-14/yemeni-armed-drones-attack-saudi-oil-pipeline

Offline sneakypete

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We seem to be in a new phase of these hostilities, non-sticky the thread for now.

@TomSea

Maybe it's just the chemo brain,but what does "non-sticky a thread" mean?
Anyone who isn't paranoid in 2021 just isn't thinking clearly!

Offline TomSea

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@TomSea

Maybe it's just the chemo brain,but what does "non-sticky a thread" mean?

@sneakypete

Like when someone has that "Royal Happenings" at the top of the world news page, someone stickied it so it can be a running story...

Maybe I should re-sticky it, the way Corbe's "Share the music you are listening to" is at the top of the Music thread.

The problem with stickying threads is I think sometimes people miss it.

@sneakypete   Certainly will be keeping you in my thoughts at this time.

Update: I guess, the thread will be re-stickied and put at the top.

The Sticky is basically saying it's like a post-it note, putting it, stickying it at the top.

« Last Edit: May 14, 2019, 03:53:30 pm by TomSea »

Offline Cyber Liberty

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Uhhhh.....this administration was happy to elicit the help of Iran and their Shiite militias to push ISIS out of Iraq. Thanks to that bit of brilliance, we now have Iranian influence stretching from Zabol to Beruit.


So what if we did?  That doesn't mean we have to put up with Iran killing Americans via their proxies like Hezbollah. 
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
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Offline skeeter

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #34 on: May 14, 2019, 04:04:47 pm »
Says the same people bitching about a big 4th of July celebration.

Who's surprised. They are our enemy.

Offline sneakypete

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@sneakypete

Like when someone has that "Royal Happenings" at the top of the world news page, someone stickied it so it can be a running story...

Maybe I should re-sticky it, the way Corbe's "Share the music you are listening to" is at the top of the Music thread.

The problem with stickying threads is I think sometimes people miss it.

@sneakypete   Certainly will be keeping you in my thoughts at this time.

Update: I guess, the thread will be re-stickied and put at the top.

The Sticky is basically saying it's like a post-it note, putting it, stickying it at the top.



@Tom Sea

Thank you for the explanation!
Anyone who isn't paranoid in 2021 just isn't thinking clearly!

Offline thackney

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Re: US 'blames Iran' for damage to tankers in Gulf of Oman
« Reply #36 on: May 14, 2019, 05:35:36 pm »
Limpet mines were used to blow holes in tankers in UAE, say divers examining four sabotaged ships as US and Iran try to calm fears of war after Saudi Arabia claimed explosive-laden drones targeted its oil pipeline in 'act of terrorism'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7027141/President-Rouhani-blasts-Pentagon-claims-Iran-used-EXPLOSIVES-sabotage-ships-UAE.html

Magnetic limpet mines were used to blow holes in Saudi oil tankers in the Gulf of Yemen yesterday, experts believe.

The mysterious 'sabotage' has sent tensions spiralling in the Middle East as the U.S. blamed Iran and its allies for the attack - but both sides today tried to calm the situation....
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Offline TomSea

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US non-essential personnel ordered to leave Iraq Embassy, consulate
« Reply #37 on: May 15, 2019, 10:11:17 am »
Quote
US non-essential personnel ordered to leave Iraq Embassy, consulate
Brie Stimson

The State Department has ordered all non-emergency personnel at the U.S. Embassy and consulate in Iraq to leave the country amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the agency said in a security alert on its website early Wednesday morning. The alert also said that normal visa services would be temporarily suspended.

Last week, U.S. officials said urgent "credible threats" from Iran against Americans were detected and the embassy advised against all travel to the region, citing “heightened tensions.”

Iran has threatened to pull out of the nuclear deal and resume higher uranium enrichment if no new deal is put in place. The U.S. left the Iran nuclear deal last year.

Read more at: https://www.foxnews.com/us/state-department-orders-all-non-essential-personnel-to-leave-iraq

Offline TomSea

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Quote
Gen. Jack Keane says report Trump has updated plans to send 100,000 troops to Iran is 'distortion of what really happens'
Frank Miles

Retired four-star Gen. Jack Keane blasted the report that the Trump administration has updated plans to send more than 100,000 troops to counter Iran if necessary.

“It’s a distortion of what really happens,” he said on “The Story with Martha MacCallum.” “The president doesn’t even know what they are talking about.”

At the White House, Trump, who has repeatedly argued for avoiding long-term conflicts in the Mideast, discounted the report claiming the U.S. has updated plans that could send up to 120,000 troops to counter Iran if it attacked American forces.

Read more at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gen-jack-keane-trump-not-sending-100k-troops-to-iran

Offline TomSea

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #39 on: May 15, 2019, 04:25:36 pm »
Newsweek published this, this may have already been debunked in large part. Parts may still be valid for all I know. We certainly probably always have a plan:

Quote
Trump administration prepares multiple military options for Iran, including airstrikes and setting up ground invasion
By James LaPorta and Tom O'Connor On 5/14/19 at 2:31 PM EDT

When President Trump’s top national security advisers met for a classified meeting at the Pentagon last Thursday, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan laid out several U.S. military options for Iran, separated into two distinct categories: retaliatory and offensive.

The revised Iran options ordered by John Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, have different degrees and redlines for escalation, ranging from airstrikes to targeted incursions, Pentagon officials told Newsweek.

Defense Department officials who have been briefed on the details of the updated military plans for Iran agreed to speak with Newsweek on condition of anonymity. Pentagon officials confirmed a report published in The New York Times on Monday outlining an option to deploy as many as 120,000 U.S. troops to the Middle East if Iran initiates an attack on U.S. forces or continues to work on what the U.S. has alleged were secret nuclear proliferation objectives.

Read more at: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-administration-iran-military-airstrikes-invasion-1425365

After 24-48 hours, probably a merge of Iran threads into this one will be done. Sounds like a plan.

Offline TomSea

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #40 on: May 15, 2019, 05:22:03 pm »
See video:

Quote

https://twitter.com/RJBrodsky/status/1127308195855241220
Matthew RJ Brodsky
‏ @RJBrodsky

In 30 seconds - here's the direct threat made on behalf of the #Iran regime. Pay attention - Europe especially - since they have a certain track record of appeasement

This is a bit over-the-top analysis but we should pay attention definitely.

Offline TomSea

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #41 on: May 15, 2019, 05:28:11 pm »
Quote
Iranian-Backed Houthis Claim “Armed” Drone Attack on Vital Oil Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia
by TheTower.org Staff | 05.15.19 7:56 am

Iranian-sponsored Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed an “armed drones” attack on vital oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, underscoring rising tensions in the Middle East.

The kingdom said drones attacked one of its oil pipelines as another armed vehicle targeted energy infrastructure elsewhere in the country on Tuesday. The targets belong to the country’s state-run oil company Aramco.

In a statement carried on the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Aramco had “temporarily shut down” the pipeline to “evaluate its condition” but added that oil production and exports had not been interrupted.

Read more at: http://www.thetower.org/7327-iranian-backed-houthis-claim-armed-drone-attack-on-vital-oil-infrastructure-in-saudi-arabia/

So, some say this sabotage amounts to being "red flag" operations; but perhaps, the Houthis, Iranian proxy are saying they did do this.

Online rustynail

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #42 on: May 15, 2019, 05:33:33 pm »
A Look At The Specific Intelligence Causing State Dept. Warning -Leave Iraq ASAP

https://lidblog.com/intelligence-u-s-leave-iraq/

Offline TomSea

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #43 on: May 15, 2019, 06:31:28 pm »
Quote
Senator Ted Cruz
‏Verified account @SenTedCruz

The @StateDept is allowing #Iran to continue doing research in their nuclear bunker at Fordow, which Iran dug into the side of a mountain to build nuclear weapons. They are unwilling to explain to the American people why they’re doing it.


https://twitter.com/SenTedCruz/status/1128702255513907201

Some might find this interesting, this just probably happened in the last day or two.  Senator Cruz questioning (video):
Quote
Andrea L. Thompson - state.gov
https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/281315.htm

Andrea L. Thompson was confirmed as Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security on April 26, 2018. Before her arrival at the Department of State, Under Secretary Thompson served as the Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President.

More at Cruz's twitter:  https://twitter.com/SenTedCruz

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #44 on: May 15, 2019, 07:00:40 pm »
Some might find this interesting, this just probably happened in the last day or two.  Senator Cruz questioning (video):
More at Cruz's twitter:  https://twitter.com/SenTedCruz

What conclusion(s) do you draw from that @TomSea?

Offline TomSea

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #45 on: May 15, 2019, 07:29:42 pm »
What conclusion(s) do you draw from that @TomSea?

My first reaction was that lady wasn't doing too well who he was questioning.

Otherwise, just what he says, the nuclear lab is in the side of a mountain, Fordow mountain.  Otherwise, I don't draw anything overwhelmingly sinister from the situation. Being against the Iran nuke deal has been a big part of his campaigning.

Fordow mountain? From a year ago:

Quote
Unusual Activity Spotted at Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site
By  Hana Levi Julian -
19 Iyyar 5778 – May 3, 2018



Unusual activity has been spotted in photos snapped on April 29 (Sunday) by ImageSat International (ISI) of Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear research site in Qom, Iran.

The photos were snapped by the Israeli EROS-B satellite, according to ISI, and were compared to prior images.

https://www.jewishpress.com/news/middle-east/iran-news/unusual-activity-spotted-at-irans-fordow-nuclear-site/2018/05/03/

Mainly just adding that bit in, in case anyone is interested.   If we are having a buildup of tensions or not.

@Sanguine   Thanks for asking.

Offline TomSea

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #46 on: May 15, 2019, 07:30:46 pm »
A Look At The Specific Intelligence Causing State Dept. Warning -Leave Iraq ASAP

https://lidblog.com/intelligence-u-s-leave-iraq/

Yes, it really sounds like they uncovered intelligence that the Iranians/proxies were planning an attack on us, somewhere.

Offline TomSea

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #47 on: May 15, 2019, 07:35:55 pm »
Quote
The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said a full briefing for the entire Senate was "in the works."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., an outspoken advocate for tough action toward Iran and a frequent defender of President Donald Trump, also said the State Department and the Defense Department needed to brief lawmakers about why it had chosen to evacuate the U.S. missions in Iraq.

"I would urge the State Department and DoD to come down here and explain to us what's going on," Graham told reporters. "Because I have no idea what the threat stream is beyond what I read in the paper."

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/senators-demand-answers-trump-administration-iran-threat-n1005951

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #48 on: May 15, 2019, 07:43:51 pm »
My first reaction was that lady wasn't doing too well who he was questioning.

Otherwise, just what he says, the nuclear lab is in the side of a mountain, Fordow mountain.  Otherwise, I don't draw anything overwhelmingly sinister from the situation. Being against the Iran nuke deal has been a big part of his campaigning.

Fordow mountain? From a year ago:

Mainly just adding that bit in, in case anyone is interested.   If we are having a buildup of tensions or not.

@Sanguine   Thanks for asking.

Thanks, Tom.

Offline TomSea

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Re: Iran Tensions Thread (updates)
« Reply #49 on: May 15, 2019, 07:55:13 pm »
Quote
Mike Pompeo said Iran-backed militias moved rockets near American bases in Iraq
By Lukas Mikelionis | Fox News

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Iraqi officials that U.S. intelligence showed Iran-backed militias moved missiles near bases housing American forces.

Pompeo made the disclosure to Iraq’s top brass during his surprise visit earlier this month, Reuters reported. The revelation comes just hours after all non-emergency personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq was ordered to leave the country.


He asked the military officials to keep the Shi’ite militias in control as they are expanding their presence in the country and now are part of the country’s security apparatus. The top diplomat warned that otherwise, the U.S. would have to use force to tackle the security threats.

Read more at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pompeo-iran-militias-rockets-american-bases-iraq

Significant.