Iran says Revolutionary Guard shoots down US drone

[Elderberry]

What do you suppose is their motive? I believe the sanctions have inflicted a lot of economic damage and they’re hoping conflict will drive up oil prices, so people here feel it, too. The economy has been a strong point for Trump, so I think they’re trying to kneecap him on that issue.

The incident occurred four days after the Pentagon said Iran had tried to down another drone, which was flying near one of two oil tankers hit by explosions in the Gulf of Oman. That missile missed the drone by more than half a mile, the Pentagon said.

https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-drone-shootdown-iran-20190620-story.html

They obviously didn't care for us videoing their oil tankers attack.

[don-o]

This is a really good time for Netanyahu to give some of the "quiet" he's always asking for.

We really don't need him goading anyone at this time … because in the end it will be us doing the fighting.

Bibi's words are usual boilerplate - repetition of existing policy status. I see no "goading." We probably got a good update on Iran coastal defenses and some action on them is a logical next step

[TomSea]

RIV's comments are welcome for me, if we are voting on this.  That's all I'm saying.  A diversity of opinion.

[don-o]

Just in from Fox - Bolton headed to Israel

[Cyber Liberty]

I would expect the wreckage has already been located and secured. And hopefully some consensus is being obtained from allies (if we have any) for a quick and proportionate response.

I'm tired of proportionate responses.  Lets have a disproportionate response instead.

(It's good to see you again, @don-o!)

[Idiot]

Just in from Fox - Bolton headed to Israel

The drum beat of war...……

[edpc]

Fine, I'll go mute. 

But mark my previous words.

In a full-scale conflict, they would be under regular bombardment, from at least three directions. They would get little to no cooperation from neighboring countries, perhaps with the exception of Jordan. Their total population, including Arabs, was 8 million in 2018. It’s existential, for them. I’d certainly hope we would assist them in any way possible.

[XenaLee]

The leftists (and Democrats) would love nothing more than to trick Trump into starting a war... any war... that they could then blame him for and use against him in the next election (like they did re: Bush/Iraq).

Trump probably isn't stupid enough to fall for it.  (let's hope)

[XenaLee]

It’s a good time for you to go on mute, as well. Ever heard of Hezbollah, the cross-border raids and rocket attacks in 2006? In the wake of that conflict, Lebanon invited the Iranian backed terror group into their political system. There’s also the more recent establishment of military personnel around Damascus and the Golan Heights. For years, they have been moving equipment from Syria, into the Bekkah Valley. How about the pursuit of a nuclear weapon, the attempted construction of a reactor in Syria, combined with the regular threats of destroying Israel? For chrissake, @Right_in_Virginia. Only you would think that Netanyahu is the one being provocative.   

 

She really doesn't care for Netty, does she.  lol

[edpc]

She really doesn't care for Netty, does she.

Netanyahu is probably the only Israeli leader, since Meir, who really understood the outside threat from their enemies. I thought Sharon would have, but he really disappointed, with the return of Gaza.

[XenaLee]

Netanyahu is probably the only Israeli leader, since Meir, who really understood the outside threat from their enemies. I thought Sharon would have, but he really disappointed, with the return of Gaza.

Agreed.

[TomSea]

I have read RIV's comments, she seems to know about Israel and more than the kind of layman analysis I'd give. This pertains to other related topics as well.  Anyway, this is a discussion forum. For us all to learn, if applicable. If one is an expert, fine.

Charles Lister
‏Verified account @Charles_Lister

5 mortar &/or rocket attacks have hit US targets or interests in #Iraq in the last 5 days (#Balad, #Baghdad, #Taji, #Mosul, #Basra)

#Iran-linked proxies are very likely behind all 5 attacks.

Though minor in scale, the message is a clear escalatory test of [invisible] red lines.

https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1141370940644909057

[TomSea]

Charles Lister
‏Verified account @Charles_Lister
3m3 minutes ago

Lt. Gen. Guastella, based in al-Udeid, #Qatar, confirms U.S. RQ-4 drone was downed in international airspace, while monitoring recent #IRGC attack activity -- see map.

The aircraft was over #Hormuz, 34km from #Iran coastline.

Reports it was in #Iran are "categorically false."


https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1141741137327251456r

Charles, the above journalist is okay with me, other folks have said he's a stooge for Qatar interests, so just saying. Everyone on twitter is controlled or funded by some nefarious interest supposedly.

[edpc]

I'm tired of proportionate responses.  Lets have a disproportionate response instead.

The leftists (and Democrats) would love nothing more than to trick Trump into starting a war... any war... that they could then blame him for and use against him in the next election (like they did re: Bush/Iraq).

Trump probably isn't stupid enough to fall for it.  (let's hope)

@Cyber Liberty
@XenaLee


Not since Operation Praying Mantis, has Iran experienced any repercussions for their actions. At some point, words need to be backed up with action. When you say things like ‘fire and fury,’ then become best friends with the recipient, it sends the wrong message. Trump’s saber rattling is ringing hollow. Other bad actors on the world stage are paying attention.

[Cyber Liberty]

@Cyber Liberty
@XenaLee


Not since Operation Praying Mantis, has Iran experienced any repercussions for their actions. At some point, words need to be backed up with action. When you say things like ‘fire and fury,’ then become best friends with the recipient, it sends the wrong message. Trump’s saber rattling is ringing hollow. Other bad actors on the world stage are paying attention.

I'm more than a little concerned they shot down a target at 35,000 feet.  The Russian SAM sites have to go.

[thackney]

Militarily, they are overmatched by Israel or the United States, on their own. Together, they would be in a hopeless situation. That makes me wonder about the progress of their nuclear program. I don’t think they would attempt something so bold, without an ace in the hole. It seems rather peculiar that right after the large nuclear test, by North Korea, the Iranians began to ramp up their ballistic missile testing. They’ve had a history of cooperation, over the years.

I highly doubt this was a first attempt.  Just a first success.

[XenaLee]

@Cyber Liberty
@XenaLee


Not since Operation Praying Mantis, has Iran experienced any repercussions for their actions. At some point, words need to be backed up with action. When you say things like ‘fire and fury,’ then become best friends with the recipient, it sends the wrong message. Trump’s saber rattling is ringing hollow. Other bad actors on the world stage are paying attention.

Yes... but.... bear in mind how badly the radical left wants to bait Trump into over-reacting and starting a war.... right before an election year that they are hellbent on winning.... by any means (literally) necessary.

[edpc]

I'm more than a little concerned they shot down a target at 35,000 feet.  The Russian SAM sites have to go.

It flies higher and slower than a commercial airliner. I hope we got more than $130M of intelligence, out of it. That’s the unit cost of the drone.

[TomSea]

Unless people are killed, I'm not seeing a war.

Oddly, as said before, Israel has carried out all kinds of airstrikes on Syria, likely what Israel is striking are arsenals for their enemies like Hamas imho. Weapons being transported and the like have been hit. Perhaps a few individuals that are seen as terrorists.

[edpc]

I highly doubt this was a first attempt.  Just a first success.

Sorry – I wasn’t clear. By bold attempt, I meant taking on the US and Israel, simultaneously. They have a substantial ballistic missile inventory, but conventional weapons wouldn’t be enough.

[don-o]

I'm tired of proportionate responses.  Lets have a disproportionate response instead.

(It's good to see you again, @don-o!)

Thanks CL. Well, I am especially sensitive to any hint of things going hot. (profile pic.) So far I like the response out of Trump and Lindsay G - good cop / bad cop. Also smart to get Congress fully briefed.

[truth_seeker]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Praying_Mantis

"By the end of the operation, U.S. air and surface units had sunk, or severely damaged, half of Iran's operational fleet. "

[Cyber Liberty]

Thanks CL. Well, I am especially sensitive to any hint of things going hot. (profile pic.) So far I like the response out of Trump and Lindsay G - good cop / bad cop. Also smart to get Congress fully briefed.

I think this is being well handled, on balance.

[don-o]

For me, the down side is again turning to the cable news with all the blather involved with that. Stupid questions getting stupid answers. I had forgotten how sad that all is.

[Wingnut]

I'm tired of proportionate responses.  Lets have a disproportionate response instead.

As long as when we do take action we are not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt.

Giddy up Cowboy