Gulf of Oman suspected torpedo attack/escalating hostilities

[Onkel Neal]

https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-video-oil-tanker-gulf-of-oman-flames-attack-2019-6?utm_source=taboola

The oil tanker was evacuated on Thursday after catching fire. The company that chartered the ship said it believed it was hit by a torpedo.

[Skybird]

It seems somebody wants to begin something.

[bstanko6]

I would have thought an anti shipping missile.

Iran uses that strait like a highway for their MiGS.

[nikimcbee]

Ship was hit dead center, no doubt by someone using the red triangle.:/\\k:

[Skybird]

"It was Iran" is the reaction that comes automatically. But it is not the only scenario possible.

Could be Iran with knowledge of the Iranian government. >50%.

Could be an Iranian camp (the RG for example) who acted without authorization by the Iranian government.>50%

Could be one of Iran's enemies to give Iran bad name and force American forces returning to the Gulf region in strength: Saudi Arabia. >25%

Could be the US to create a shunt casus belli. <25%

Could be Russian-helped to hint out what is at stake if the West goes after Iran by martial means. <20%

Numbers should only illustrate the general trend in probability I see in the scenarios being true.

[Catfish]

Ship was hit dead center, no doubt by someone using the red triangle.:/\\k:

A 'well-placed' limpet mine would have the same impact.
Also, what do we really know? Some biased news agencies telling us that "norwegian sailors have said that blahblah" ? Really? Have they?
Tonkin incident anyone? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Tonkin_incident
As usual, this kind of "news" stinks to the high heavens.

[mapuc]

I have throughout the day read and seen news about this incident in the Gulf of Oman.

Instead of getting a heureka feeling(Can't find a better phrase) I got lots of questions.

Like:

If Iran said it wasn't them despite every evidence showing it was them, could this mean there are part of the Iranian military who acts on their own.

And

Could it be those who are fighting Saudi-Arabia and others in Yemen and they got help from Iran = An Iranian attack by proxy.

As one of the political commentator said on Danish TV.

Nor Iran or USA is interested in an open conflict.

If it's not Iran or some of their allied in the area, then the question is

Who else ?

Markus

[Mr Quatro]

Reported that one of the ship's was registered in Japan with a big wig from Japan visiting Iran at the same time would look suspicious of another country, but only SA could count on this case scenerio, right?

Yet Iran has been making war threats to the USA recently as yesterday ... :yep:

My first thoughts were torpedo, but I've been wrong before ... If the USA sinks an Iranian submarine then we will know. :o

[Onkel Neal]

Reported that one of the ship's was registered in Japan with a big wig from Japan visiting Iran at the same time would look suspicious of another country, but only SA could count on this case scenerio, right?

Yet Iran has been making war threats to the USA recently as yesterday ... :yep:

My first thoughts were torpedo, but I've been wrong before ... If the USA sinks an Iranian submarine then we will know. :o

We've already sank one and it was never heard about.

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

Sounds like Gulf of Tonkin 2 Torpedo Boogaloo if you ask me.

[Dowly]

Well, the US has made its mind it was Iran.


Some years back, a certain individual... let's call him individual-1 had this to say:


In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran. (https://mobile.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/141604554855825408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5E tweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-41835174743886277158.ampproject.net%2F190509182722 0%2Fframe.html)


Now that Obama’s poll numbers are in tailspin – watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate. (https://mobile.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/255784560904773633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5E tweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-41835174743886277158.ampproject.net%2F190509182722 0%2Fframe.html)


Don't let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected--be careful Republicans! (https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/260421157201784832)


I predict that President Obama will at some point attack Iran in order to save face! (https://mobile.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/379717298296086529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5E tweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-41835174743886277158.ampproject.net%2F190509182722 0%2Fframe.html)


Remember what I previously said--Obama will someday attack Iran in order to show how tough he is. (https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/382923478157910016)


Remember that I predicted a long time ago that President Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly-not skilled! (https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/399731975432728576)

[Buddahaid]

So it would appear. At least we/they are putting the blame on Iran for allowing the attacks to happen regardless if they are sanctioned by their government. I really want to know the truth about this and feel I can trust nothing for an information source. I guess that means I've fallen victim to the misinformation campaigns sowing of mistrust. Damn!

[Jimbuna]

My guess would be Iran, in an effort to drive up the price of oil and in so doing greatly enhance what limited income they are able to generate these days as a resukt if the trade embargo they are subject to.

There are reports of suspected frogmen attaching limpet mines in previous instances.

One thing is certain, if whoever is responsible becomes overly audacious and targets a warship, the doo doo will instantly hit the fan.

[Taurolas]

recent footage shows a boat alongside (i assume at night) removing something from the section shown in a pic released today that has been labeled as a possible mine, (possibly a dud) so somebody has gone out there to remove it... draw your own conclusions on that one

[Jimbuna]

Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: US says video shows Iran removing mine.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48633016

Gulf of Oman tanker 'attacks': What we know.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48627014

[Mr Quatro]

Mines don't fly :o

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/japanese-tanker-owner-contradict-u-s-officials-over-explosives-used-n1017556

The Japanese owner of a tanker attacked in the Gulf of Oman claimed Friday that it was struck by a flying projectile, contradicting reports by U.S. officials and the military on the source of the blast.

Friday morning, the owner of the 560-foot Courageous, said that sailors saw something flying toward the vessel just before the explosion and that the impact was well above the waterline.

[Mr Quatro]

Walmart did it for only $41.19 free 2 day shipping included :yep:


Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Mini Flying Sub

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Voyage-to-the-Bottom-of-the-Sea-Mini-Flying-Sub/148710135?sourceid=dsn_fb_f03729c4-5899-4310-ab9e-aa595a9bad64&veh=dsn&wmlspartner=dsn_fb_f03729c4-5899-4310-ab9e-aa595a9bad64&cn=Entertainment-DABA_pr_dps_dsn_soc_fb_ent&fbclid=IwAR07BDWmGuVgKUDsjNJcACuiMnN0-JwX_erAZY7wd4rks4o_SomZCiFYG_c

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/336fd0f9-7ba3-443f-bd56-444c0583cc21_1.8b5c6598029e039bbe8250006c8154b3.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF

[Skybird]

Have the tanker and the small boat on that video been positively IDed by in dependent, non-US sources?

[em2nought]

This is how John Kerry suggested Iran deal with President Trump no doubt. :03::D It would not surprise me in the least. :hmmm:

[Rockstar]

https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/iran-world/25656-iran-regime-leader-shows-how-scared-he-is-of-overthrow-in-2019


maybe a new batch of freedom fighters hell bent on a past due change of Iranian leadership.

[Catfish]

With Khameini the Iranians (and we) have a relatively moderate (or temperate?) leader, one can only guess what happens if the Mujahedin come to power.
Too late to change political attitude towards Iran now anyway. Any foreign threat and sanction is being blamed on Khameini because he's regarded and portrayed as "too weak".

[Platapus]

I guess Trump remembered what happened to Bush Jr's ratings after 911. He would love to be a "war president".

[mapuc]

Earlier today I saw on the News an interview with some Japanese owner who said

(from my memory)

My crew don't know what hit them, they saw something flying towards them….

When he said those words ASM came into my mind.

Markus

[nikimcbee]

I wonder how many Japanese tankers go in and out of there? Could the JDMF escort them through there? This whole thing is fishy. I have a hard time believing anything at this point.

[LIST=1] Not close enough to the election for a wag the dog scenario. I mean, why do it now?

I thought of a crazy scenario, deep state, rouge military up to no good.

In all seriousness, what would you do if you were Trump?

Nothing, not our ships.
Let the Navy b@tch slap them once or twice. (See Reagan and Libya mid 80s). Would that make it worse? Iran is way more cray cray.

[Jimbuna]

The UK have stated they are firmly with the US on this issue but not surprisingly this terrorist sympathiser who would like the keys to No10 is not convinced https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48645280

[Rockstar]

well, we're only going to know what we're told they think we should know.



my guess Saudi problems are our problem. Having now a pretty good relationship with iraq next stop, a friendly regime in iran. should somewhat quell the yemen and syrian problems.

[Catfish]

Our good friends the Saudis, hmm. Has there been any answer to the Kashoggi murder by bin Salman?

Good article imho:
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Hardliners-false-flags-and-revenge-The-Iranian-tanker-attacks-narrative-592552

[mapuc]

OK USA is accusing Iran

Lets look at it in a geopolitical point-of-view

Which countries in the area would gain most in a war between USA and Iran ?

Markus

[em2nought]

Our good friends the Saudis, hmm. Has there been any answer to the Kashoggi murder by bin Salman?


CNN should send Jim Acosta, and MSNBC should send Rachel Maddow to investigate. :D

[Catfish]

Would remove some problems for the two i guess :D

https://i.imgur.com/Hx70fhIl.jpg

[Skybird]

For his usual bigmouthed standards, the Donald acts and talks remarkably reluctant.



Could be a sign that they know it was not Iran. Second most likely candidate then would be Saudi Arabia. A rise in oil price would be in the Saudi interest, as well as trying to lure the US back into the region in strength.

[Platapus]

OK USA is accusing Iran

Lets look at it in a geopolitical point-of-view

Which countries in the area would gain most in a war between USA and Iran ?

Markus


In the analytical world we have a Latin Phrase Cui Bono


Which means "who benefits". When evaluating these types of issues, this is one of the first questions we ask ourselves.



1. Who benefits by linking the Iranian government to these incidents?


2. Who is pushing the narrative that the Iranian government is behind these incidents?


Is there a connection between 1 and 2?

[Mr Quatro]

Don't forget how long it took to find out what happen to the missing reporter that entered the SA embassy in Turkey that fatefull day. I'm not saying SA did it, but that's how truth works in that part of the world.

Spy agencies that listen to private conversations already know who did it, SOS has pointed his finger at Iran ... Iran is suspected and those that doubt have already been leaning on Iran's siide. :yep:

[Rockstar]

Who doesn't want Japan involved or mending ties with the U.S. and Iran? A few years ago the New York times ran a headline "For China's Global Ambitions, Iran Is at the Center of Everything.'


targeting oil flow, a jap tanker during a japanese diplomatic visit. China may have orhestrated and sent a message to Russia, Japan and U.S. Stay away from Iran

[mapuc]

There is another candidate who haven't been mentioned.

I myself don't believe they are behind, even though they would have the biggest benefit.

They can take on Iran them self if they wanted to, but if they can get a big friend to do the job for them, even better.

The Candidate is Israel.

Markus

Edit:
Forgot something. I'm with Skybird. The best candidate beside Iran is Saudi-Arabia. If it's due to oil-prices I don't know.
I think it has to do with the civil war in Yemen

End of Edit

[Jimbuna]

The US military will send an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East as tensions build with Iran.

Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the deployment was in response to what he described as "hostile behaviour" by Iranian forces.

The US Navy also shared new images it says link Iran to attacks last week on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

Washington has accused Iran of blowing holes in the vessels with mines. Iran has denied the allegations.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48671319

Totally expected under the present circumstances I suppose.

[Skybird]

There is another candidate who haven't been mentioned.

I myself don't believe they are behind, even though they would have the biggest benefit.

They can take on Iran them self if they wanted to, but if they can get a big friend to do the job for them, even better.

The Candidate is Israel.

Markus

Edit:
Forgot something. I'm with Skybird. The best candidate beside Iran is Saudi-Arabia. If it's due to oil-prices I don't know.
I think it has to do with the civil war in Yemen

End of Edit
I doubt Israel would consider such acing. The risk is too high. If it gets unveilled to globla public that Israel is behind it, then the brown stuff hits the fan and its not as if Israel already has so many friends. It would be diplomatic armageddon.

[Jimbuna]

Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: What could be Iran's motive?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48642401

[mapuc]

A plausible scenario
(based on what I have read and heard about the civil war in Yemen)

Iran supporting the(keep on forgetting what they are called-something with hut….) with weapon and if I remember correctly logistic.

Some month ago or so I read Saudi-Arabian navy had been shelling some Harbour in Yemen, who was under (Can't remember what they are called)control.

Could it be that the Iranian Navy have placed some sea mine in the area, to take out the Saudi-Arabian navy or some of their warship, but due to some mistake/failure these mines have drifted away out into the open see where these tankers hit some of them.

Afterward Iran have removed the rest of these mines, as seen on these surveillance videos

Nothing but a plausible scenario

Markus

[Reece]

IIRC the holes (or some) in the ships were above the waterline. :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) - The United States Navy on Wednesday displayed limpet mine fragments and a magnet it said it had removed from one of two oil tankers attacked in the Gulf of Oman last week, saying the mines bore a striking resemblance to Iranian ones.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-attacks-navy/us-navy-says-mine-fragments-magnet-point-to-iran-in-gulf-tanker-attack-idUKKCN1TK1C3

[em2nought]

Let's cut to the chase! Who does AOC consider to be the culprits? :D
https://www.prepperforums.net/forum/attachments/political-news-topics/95983d1551409857t-aoc-meme-thread-52880618_1559001467567218_1784637406310301696_n.pn g

[Schroeder]

the mines bore a striking resemblance to Iranian ones.
Well, the people attacking a certain German radio station also bore a striking resemblance to Polish troops....
That's the problem here.... Who can we trust in this? I would say no one.

[Mr Quatro]

I can't figure out how a mine can get above the waterline yet, plus why would Iran send a patrol craft to remove a mine?

They want to resume nuclear fuel stock piles above the limit preset by the now no longer abiding in treaty. Looks like pre-planned to do just that. :yep:

[Skybird]

All this is no evidence, but just claim. All this includes no details that allow getting tested independently and verified and falsified.The big and the small shiop in that thermal image (?) video) could not get identified. The people aboard could not be identified. Place and time could not be verified. Now the mine claims - claims.



Possible that it is like the US and the UK say. Not unreasonable at all. But after the past forged evidence and wrong claims that launched war actions in the region in 2003, I do not think that claim alone is good enough.



Thats the problem with liars. When in the future they say the truth, nobody believes them easily.

[Platapus]

I wonder if this "striking resemblance" goes further than small and goes boom?

[Jimbuna]

A US military surveillance drone has been shot down by Iranian forces while flying over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said the drone had violated Iranian airspace. But US military said it had been over international waters.

IRGC commander-in-chief Maj-Gen Hossein Salami said the downing of the drone sent a "clear message to America" that Iran's borders were its "red line".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48700965

No doubts here then as Iran has admitted the fact.

[Skybird]

And there fall 130-220 million dollars down from the sky.

[em2nought]

And there fall 130-220 million dollars down from the sky.


It cost us more than that if they shot it down with our money which Obama handed them on his way out the door. :03:

[Catfish]

The UK have stated they are firmly with the US on this issue [...]


https://i.imgur.com/0yV1xvem.jpg

[Jimbuna]

https://i.imgur.com/0yV1xvem.jpg

Yep, can't disagree there :yep:

[Jimbuna]

President Donald Trump approved retaliatory military strikes against Iran on Thursday before changing his mind, US media report.

The New York Times, citing senior White House officials, says strikes were planned against a "handful" of targets.

They say the operation was allegedly under way "in its early stages" when Mr Trump stood the US military down. The White House has so far made no comment.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48714414

This surprises me if it is true :hmmm:

[ikalugin]

Considering the underfunded state of the British armed forces I am not sure that this joke applies.

[Catfish]

1. Was the drone over iranian territory?
2. How does international law regulate such incidents - allowed to shoot down foreign military devices over own territory?

[Jimbuna]

^ I would imagine accurately recorded flight information will be available from both sides to back up their assertions should either feel the need to definitively show just where the drone actually was.

[ikalugin]

1. Was the drone over iranian territory?
2. How does international law regulate such incidents - allowed to shoot down foreign military devices over own territory?
Apparently it was over ADIZ. Countries tend to maintain the right to engage threatening objects (ie those without working transponders) over their ADIZ. Which is why in certain regions of the world (ie near to Baltics, in Ukraine etc) USAF flies their drones with transponders on.


Yes, if it is over your own territory legally speaking you can do whatever you want with it, in fact the violation of the airspace can be claimed as an act of agression by the other party. This is why the moment USSR had proven the capability to shoot down US spy aircraft those flights stoped.

[Skybird]

The place there is cluttered with acts of war already. The damaging of the tankers some weeks ago were acts of war. The apparent mine-attacks on tankers were acts of war. Flying a drone into another nation'S airspace is a at least an extrenely unfriendly act. Shooting down a drone in international airspace qualfiies for that at minimum as well.



We have had tanker attacks int he 80s, with Iranian missiles. Was there a discussion over whether that were acts of war?


The problem in the present is we have no evidence revealed to the public, just claims, claims, and more claims. Even the launched and interrupted American attack last night is so far just a claim. The only things we cna be sure of is that tsbkers were attacked and damaged, and a US drone got downed by Iran somewhere. Anything beyond that so far is just claim.

[Deepseadiver]

https://i.imgur.com/0yV1xvem.jpg



:Kaleun_Applaud:

[Rockstar]

Meh, we cancelled any retaliation due to the weather.

[Jimbuna]

Mr Trump said he had called off strikes after being told 150 people would die.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48714414

[Mr Quatro]

Trump should have our Air Force planes drop some good pornography into the Iranian air space

(where the missile came from)

and then when the men get caught reading it they shall be put to death.

Problems solved of killing 150 men :yep:

[em2nought]

Trump should have our Air Force planes drop some good pornography into the Iranian air space

(where the missile came from)

and then when the men get caught reading it they shall be put to death.

Problems solved of killing 150 men :yep:


If we dropped gay porn we could enrage the liberal elites too. So much winning! :03:


Are we permitted to call it "gay" porn? If not what do you call it? :D

[nikimcbee]

Trump should have our Air Force planes drop some good pornography into the Iranian air space

(where the missile came from)

and then when the men get caught reading it they shall be put to death.

Problems solved of killing 150 men :yep:

If we dropped gay porn we could enrage the liberal elites too. So much winning! :03:


Are we permitted to call it "gay" porn? If not what do you call it? :D

Brilliant! Problem solves it's self! We will bury you in the best that Western Civilization has to offer. Can you see the WW2 style posters for this? If you've got'em, flaunt'em. Loose lips....sink ships:har::har::har::har:

[mapuc]

This comment is not based on facts, it's more a fear

If Trump gives the go-ahead - Iran and perhaps Syria would retaliate this by conducting a massive scud and artillery attack on Israel.

And Irans supporting terrorist group in Lebanon and Gaza may do the same-Using mortars.

Markus

[Mr Quatro]

This comment is not based on facts, it's more a fear

If Trump gives the go-ahead - Iran and perhaps Syria would retaliate this by conducting a massive scud and artillery attack on Israel.

And Irans supporting terrorist group in Lebanon and Gaza may do the same-Using mortars.

Markus

I fear sleeper cells inside the USA more than Iran attacking Israel :yep:

I heard a general say one time (many years ago) "Iran's going to find out why we call our jet fighter planes Hornets.":o

[Jimbuna]

This comment is not based on facts, it's more a fear

If Trump gives the go-ahead - Iran and perhaps Syria would retaliate this by conducting a massive scud and artillery attack on Israel.

And Irans supporting terrorist group in Lebanon and Gaza may do the same-Using mortars.

Markus

Israel has a proud and long record of protecting herself....not that she has any choice.

[Jimbuna]

The US launched a cyber-attack on Iranian weapons systems on Thursday as President Trump pulled out of air strikes on the country, US reports say.

The cyber-attack disabled computer systems controlling rocket and missile launchers, the Washington Post said.

It was in retaliation for the shooting down of a US drone as well as attacks on oil tankers that the US has blamed Iran for, the New York Times said.

There is no independent confirmation of damage to Iranian systems.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48735097

There is always more than one way to skin a cat.

[em2nought]

I fear sleeper cells inside the USA more than Iran attacking Israel :yep:


I think the new name for those is "Minnesota". :03:

[Platapus]

Can you imagine the psychological impact of using IEDs in the US?


It would truly be a terror weapon. And a rather effective weapon against US citizens.

[Mr Quatro]

Can you imagine the psychological impact of using IEDs in the US?


It would truly be a terror weapon. And a rather effective weapon against US citizens.

What if Japan or Vietnam had of used today's terror tacit's we were already bombing the hell out of them anyway.

In fact Japan did fire bomb Oregon with a submarine though. :yep: