Iran Intercepted Another Tanker-UK

[jimnyc]

“Their crews comprise a range of nationalities, but we understand there are no British citizens on board either ship.

Now I hope they're together and readying things.

All they gotta do - Aim High, then - Fly-Fight-Win

[Kathianne]

He did say he's considering Rand Paul's offer to act as go between.

[Kathianne]

Regarding Paul, looks like more than considering:

https://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...iate-with-iran

...

President Trump on Friday confirmed he has authorized Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to negotiate with Iran over reducing tensions, reversing himself a day after he denied reports he permitted Paul to serve as an emissary to Tehran.


“Rand is a friend of mine, and Rand asked me if he could get involved. The answer is yes, and if the other senators ask me to get involved, I’d probably say yes depending on who they were,” Trump told reporters at the White House Friday. “I have many people involved, and Iran is going to work out very nicely. “

...

[Drummond]

This is still an ongoing story, of course.

The latest definite news is that Jeremy Hunt (Foreign Secretary) has chaired a 'COBRA' meeting at 10 Downing Street ... COBRA meetings are called at times when we have urgent and action-based security issues to be resolved. No news as yet as to what's come of that meeting.

Meanwhile, the BBC has been pontificating (.. they do it so well ..). Questions being asked go along the lines of 'Why are they picking on us, when the UK approach to the US-Iran nuclear deal was to side with trying to salvage it, and ease the sanctions issue'.

Consensus among commentators during BBC coverage of it (quite apart from our seizure of one of their tankers) seems to be that Iran's 'regard' for us is perhaps tainted by the US-UK 'special relationship' .. we're seen as more natural allies of the US than with the EU. So, they're inclined to punish us for it.

[This could just be, of course, the BBC trying to put the political boot in because we're still friendly with Donald Trump ...]

Typical of a pipsqueak power, isn't it, that they 'boldly and bravely' only pick on a power with a weaker military capability. Apparently the intervention of one of our warships, days ago, didn't teach them anything.

However .. hopefully, Jeremy Hunt WILL learn from this. His approach was to hope to defuse tensions, and this has been Iran's political response. Our people badly need to WAKE UP, and learn the true nature of forces against them.

This, with luck, will do it.

My belief: weaker or not, IF we've finally woken up to the truth of Iran's belligerence, we WILL find a meaningful response to this that Iran will find hard to swallow. I'm just waiting to see what it is.

[Gunny]

My money's on the UK acting before the US does.

[Kathianne]

I'm listening to news and it seems Iran let the Liberian flagged ship leave, but UK says they've yet to hear from the 23 crew of the UK flagged ship. England says they are under the Iranian military control.

The DOD says they are deploying more troops to Saudi Arabia. US planes are now in contact with any US ships, whether military or not.

UK has ordered all UK ships to stay out of Strait of Hormuz until further notice.

[LongTermGuy]

I'm waiting to find some coalition building.

No reason to "wait" we have some (and enough) that count already...Forget about France and Germany...to submissive .... weak and politically correct to do anything...

**Hannity had a good report on this already tonight on his show..

[Gunny]

I'm listening to news and it seems Iran let the Liberian flagged ship leave, but UK says they've yet to hear from the 23 crew of the UK flagged ship. England says they are under the Iranian military control.

The DOD says they are deploying more troops to Saudi Arabia. US planes are now in contact with any US ships, whether military or not.

UK has ordered all UK ships to stay out of Strait of Hormuz until further notice.

Somebody's going to have to back down. Iran is going to demand concessions and are trying to use the rest of the people affected by the closure of the Strait (we are affected least) as leverage to turn others against us and pressure us to back off.

I am wondering what has brought Iran to this sudden, and as I see it desperate gamble that could easily escalate out of control. Then again, they're Persians so probably think they are driving the train

[Kathianne]

Somebody's going to have to back down. Iran is going to demand concessions and are trying to use the rest of the people affected by the closure of the Strait (we are affected least) as leverage to turn others against us and pressure us to back off.

I am wondering what has brought Iran to this sudden, and as I see it desperate gamble that could easily escalate out of control. Then again, they're Persians so probably think they are driving the train

According to the president and news talkers, it's because Iran is at the end of their rope due to sanctions.

[Drummond]

The usual semi-committal language is emanating from our people. 'Serious consequences' are promised if our remaining tanker isn't released (which says two things: one, we're still weighing options, and two, our people are hoping Iran will let the tanker go, meaning if they do, presumably there'll be no action !).

I think we're dithering.

I hope not.

[Kathianne]

News is saying that Britain is meeting and the US is trying to decide what they'll do if Britain asks for help. Thus is looks like Britain may be getting ready to act, as @Gunny said.

[Gunny]

According to the president and news talkers, it's because Iran is at the end of their rope due to sanctions.

I heard that. It could be. I can't really come up with another reason.

There's really nothing Iran can do to win anything if everyone concerned just shut them down. The Strait can be re-opened with gunboat diplomacy easy enough. So, being the GySgt that I am, I am looking for the something we aren't seeing.

[Gunny]

The usual semi-committal language is emanating from our people. 'Serious consequences' are promised if our remaining tanker isn't released (which says two things: one, we're still weighing options, and two, our people are hoping Iran will let the tanker go, meaning if they do, presumably there'll be no action !).

I think we're dithering.

I hope not.

That's how Brits always sound to us (not dithering, but the polite part )

[Drummond]

News is saying that Britain is meeting and the US is trying to decide what they'll do if Britain asks for help. Thus is looks like Britain may be getting ready to act, as @Gunny said.

Perhaps so. I for one don't want Iran to get away with this.

A message that would tell Iran we meant business would include a deadline by which Iran is expected to comply ... you don't issue a deadline if you don't also intend to back it up, if not complied with. But as yet, there's no suggestion of any deadline given to Iran. This'll send a softer, weaker message than otherwise. This is why I suspect there is an element of dithering involved.

We've also issued an 'advisory', telling British ships to avoid the area for the time being.

Bear in mind our current political climate .. our Prime Minister will be gone within days, a new PM will take over. If the Iranians were hoping for a 'power-vacuum' effect, their timing is impeccable. They want a weak response to this.

Story still ongoing ... and it's past my bedtime (after 4am here) ! When I wake up, I hope to hear a report that says what will be DONE about this.

If America does supply material aid (military), I for one will appreciate it.

[Gunny]

News is saying that Britain is meeting and the US is trying to decide what they'll do if Britain asks for help. Thus is looks like Britain may be getting ready to act, as @Gunny said.

They are attacking UK (flagged) shipping. We are their bestest friend

If the US and UK alone wanted to re-open the Gulf by force, not much could stop them.