Iran, current events and ongoing sabre rattling!

[zero_gravity]

Another report from IRINN TV here.

Shame we cant hear the english subcarrier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ2yDYCDjVg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gary]

President Barack Obama has said the US government has requested that Iran return the surveillance drone captured by its military earlier this month.

Mr Obama said he would not comment on classified intelligence matters, but confirmed: "We have asked for it back. We'll see how the Iranians respond."

Iranian TV broadcast pictures the intact RQ-170 Sentinel last week.

Tehran said the aircraft was brought down using electronic warfare; Washington insisted it malfunctioned.

Info from BBC news

[steve149c]

Well that seals it - a genuine drone in the hand of Iran/Russia/China - I doubt it is even in Iran now!

[SteveS]

I think the real question is - why have the Iranians put it on display in a school gymnasium?

http://cencio4.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/3.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[hertsman]

Going back to my youth, I seem to recall if you kicked your ball over the neighbour's fence, they were not obliged to give it back to you, but neither should they do anything with it - just leave it where it lay.

So presumably the Iranians having moved the Sentinel, they have to give it back?

It never occurred to me you would ask for your spy plane back, but it seems the US is not very hopeful, which is probably a realistic assessment

hertsman

[quid21]

President Barack Obama has said the US government has requested that Iran return the surveillance drone captured by its military earlier this month.

Mr Obama said he would not comment on classified intelligence matters, but confirmed: "We have asked for it back. We'll see how the Iranians respond."

Iranian TV broadcast pictures the intact RQ-170 Sentinel last week.

Tehran said the aircraft was brought down using electronic warfare; Washington insisted it malfunctioned.

Info from BBC news

Hoorah! Thats quite a coup for the Iranians.

Now they won't just be able to develop nuclear weapons, they will also be able to deliver them using technology from the UAV!!!

[zero_gravity]

Here's todays offering from Press TV including the Obama statement.

http://youtu.be/YfVfdEoVdic

[Gary]

Iran has rejected a US call for the return of an American spy drone captured by Iran's military.

The aircraft was now "property" of Iran and it was up to Iran to decide what to do with it, defence minister Ahmad Vahidi said.

Tehran captured the RQ-170 Sentinel earlier this month in eastern Iran. Mr Vahidi said the US should apologise for invading Iranian air space.

Tehran says it brought the drone down, but the US insists it malfunctioned.

"The American espionage drone is now Iran's property, and our country will decide what steps to take regarding it," Mr Vahidi was quoted as saying by Isna news agency, following a call for the aircraft's return by US President Barack Obama.

"Instead of apologising to the Iranian nation, it [the US] is brazenly asking for the drone back," he added, according to another semi-official news agency, Mehr.

On Monday Iranian state TV reported that military experts were in the final stages of recovering data from the drone.

A member of the Iranian parliament's national security committee, Parviz Sorouri, said the information they extracted would be used to "file a lawsuit against the United States over the invasion".

'Spies' arrested

Also on Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton admitted it was likely that the drone would not be returned. She said that despite numerous "provocations" from Iran, the US would pursue a "diplomatic approach".

Iranian Revolutionary Guards were filmed inspecting the drone on Thursday. Tehran says it had crossed the Afghan border and travelled 250km (155 miles) inside Iranian airspace before being brought down in a cyber attack.

The Iranian government has sent a letter of protest to the UN accusing the US of violating international law.

A former US official has said the Pentagon was using the drone to keep watch on Iran's controversial nuclear programme. Western powers believe Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, which it denies.

In a separate development, Iran's official Irna news agency on Tuesday reported that 15 "American and Zionist" spies had been indicted.

The report, quoting Tehran's chief prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, gave no details about the charges, or the names of the accused.

Iran frequently accuses the US of seeking to covertly undermine its regime. In May, Iran's intelligence ministry announced the arrest of 30 CIA "spies".

info from BBC News

[zero_gravity]

Part of a Whitehouse briefing which took place just a few minutes ago

http://youtu.be/SBu3V1oVDNo

Note the reference to "unique capabilities "

[T_J]

Iran to exhibit US and Israeli spy drones

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/de ... spy-drones" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Country reportedly planning to put the machines on display and invite journalists and foreign ambassadors to view them

Iran says it will put on display a series of foreign spy drones that it claims to have obtained, including four Israeli and three US unmanned aircraft, according to a state-run newspaper.

Iran's English-language newspaper, the Tehran Times, quoted "an informed source" as saying that the exhibition will be held "in the near future", and that foreign ambassadors based in Tehran and local journalists would be invited.

"The latest domestically manufactured electronic warfare equipment will also be put on show at the exhibition," the newspaper said. "The foreign unmanned aircraft that Iran has are four Israeli and three US drones...

[T_J]

It was only a matter of time until the Iranian news agencies went overboard with the propaganda.

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9007277570" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hacking such an extremely sophisticated system, which until last week was considered impossible, means that the Iranians are able to enter all computer-based network systems in the US and Europe. Since the algorithm and logic behind other systems are much simpler, the Iranians may be able to control all radars, satellites, planes, ships, tanks, rockets, cruise missiles and so on of the US and NATO throughout the world. They may be able to even control American soldiers, who are driven to fight using satellite controlled infrared systems.

[MikeB]

It was only a matter of time until the Iranian news agencies went overboard with the propaganda.

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9007277570" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hacking such an extremely sophisticated system, which until last week was considered impossible, means that the Iranians are able to enter all computer-based network systems in the US and Europe. Since the algorithm and logic behind other systems are much simpler, the Iranians may be able to control all radars, satellites, planes, ships, tanks, rockets, cruise missiles and so on of the US and NATO throughout the world. They may be able to even control American soldiers, who are driven to fight using satellite controlled infrared systems.

That's a brilliant bit of journalism!

[RichC]

Strongest words yet from US Secretary of Defence:-

"A nuclear-armed Iran is “unacceptable” to the United States and no option to prevent such a program from developing is off the table, said Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta during a recent interview with CBS News, Dec. 17, 2011."

[RichC]

In retaliation to the sanctions, Iran is now threatening to "close" the straight of Hormuz.
US Navy have responded here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16348633" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If they did close that straight you can guarantee there will be military retaliation by the "west".

[RichC]

That is a completely different situation, Chiddersnotsenior.

The Straights of Hormuz is international waters, it is the "only" way in and out of the Gulf and Iran is not the only country of which borders the straights.
The UAE and Oman also border the straights and as they both are Ally to the US/UK and the Western world, they are effectively taking aggression against those countries too.

If Iran blockades the straights, then every country that borders the Gulf Region will be affected, not just the US. Infact a lot of the world will be affected in terms of oil transportation.
So if they block all the tankers going in and out, they are taking aggression on those oil producing countries that want to make money and creating a situation to those countries who rely on the Gulf for oil. It would be a "poor" move on Irans part if they displayed such a reaction. It would be dealt with quite strictly i would imagine.

Sitting Iranian warships off the coast of the USA would not really matter. They won't go blockading ships into and out of the USA, would they? And the coastline is so long that a few warships sitting in international waters off the coast would cause no real reaction. They can do that if they wish. We have the Russian Carrier group sitting 30 miles off our coast. We had them launching fixed wing between our oil/gas rigs and yet do we give a reaction to the Russians? We just shadow them.

Blockading a small stretch of water that the "World" heavily relies on for oil with warships, mines and threatening with missiles is a completely different ball game. Those straights are not just a US interest! It blocks in 6 other countries apart from Iran itself from the Indian Ocean. So the 6 Arab states would not take lightly to Iran doing such a game. Nor would the US, UK, Australia, and most of Europe.

[steve149c]

Hi All - unless my Navigation has gone completely south for Christmas - the Navigable side of the Straights of Hormuz, ie the Shipping Traffic Lane is located on the south side of the straights - in Oman waters. The only points that are in Iranian waters are off to the West, though a reroute of shipping is easy there.

But the main problem is Oman - if Oman sides with Iran (a very small chance) - then you have problems. Iran can close their side of the water way no problem - under international law it is their right - but this closure will not affect Tankers etc. The problem is Oman's side of the channel - so I would expect Oman to be getting some favours soon!

As Rich says - Iran wouldn't consider political suicide - to force a closure illegally of the straits would bring down the League of Arab Nations on them - and that would not be good!!

[RichC]

Oman is an Ally of the West. Especially the UK. We have forward bases in Oman at Thumrait and Seeb.
I assume Iran has a 12nm limit to the EZ and so yes, Omani waters would be the only way but if Iran blocks Omani waters, that would be an aggression against Oman as well.

[swingy]

I suspect this is as much for internal consumption in Iran as much as anything. The ordinary Joe Public in Iran is suffering as a result of the sanctions. The regime is very unpopular and senses there is unrest within. People in Iran look at Egypt, Libyia and Syria and many want a change in Iran. Ahmadinnerjacket needs to focus attention on other things so the US is the bogey man however that is a doubled edged sword as there are now people in Iran looking for the US and NATO to help them as in Libyia.

In short, all politics. However I suspect we will not see dinnner jacket in power in Iran much longer one way or another.

[Arthur Tee]

Oman is an Ally of the West. Especially the UK. We have forward bases in Oman at Thumrait and Seeb.
I assume Iran has a 12nm limit to the EZ and so yes, Omani waters would be the only way but if Iran blocks Omani waters, that would be an aggression against Oman as well.

Rich,

Are the RAF still operating out of Seeb? I thought they had relocated to Al Musanah...

Indeed - Oman has obviously been preparing itself well for this situation. The parking at Thumrait has probably trebled since I was there in 2001 and the new base of Al Musanah isn't exactly small either!

Arthur

[RichC]

Oman and UAE announced a year or two ago that they would "support" any operation that is needed to deter Iranian aggression.
I think the only way of knowing something is about to happen is i would have thought the US would beef up air defence (SAMs) in both of those Countries.
Being so close to Iran, it would only take a few minutes to send over a few planes to bomb their airfields.
A USN Carrier would need to be well away from the coast and the scenario whereby USN capital ships would be in danger from Anti Ship warfare wherever they are situated within the Gulf. So it wouldn't surprise me that they would need to be stationed rather in the Indian Ocean more so than the Gulf. At most 70-80 miles from danger isn't a lot.
But then first strike capabilities would no doubt go for the shore where all the missiles are based.

Remember in the 80's when the Iranians did the same type of thing but raided the oil rigs and tankers. It won't happen without serious military action this time.


AT, i did not know about the new airbase, thanks for the information.