A report asserted that Iran has been acquiring and deploying a range of missiles and naval platforms to strike at shipping and energy facilities of its Gulf Arab neighbors. The report by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments said Iran wants to intimidate the United States from operating in the Gulf.
"Iran, with military-technical support from China, North Korea, and Russia, seems intent on developing and fielding a range of A2/AD [anti-access, area denial] capabilities, to include ballistic and cruise missiles -- possibly equipped with WMD warheads -- mobile ASCMs [anti-ship cruise missiles] submarines, small high-speed coastal combatants, and advanced anti-ship mines," the report said.
The new Iranian warship Jamaran fires a missile, reported to be a Noor, a long-range anti-ship missile based on the Chinese C-802, in an exercise in the southern waters of Iran, on March 9. AP/IIPA, Ebrahim Norouzi The report, titled "Why AirSea Battle?", said Iran appeared determined to develop additional capabilities to block U.S. military operations in the Gulf region. The center said Iran could eventually endanger energy production facilities and pipelines of Gulf Cooperation Council states.
Authored by former Pentagon official Andrew Krepinevich, the report said Iran could take advantage of the Gulf, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, which measures 33 nautical miles at its most narrow point. The report said Iran could use its more than 70 bases to attack U.S. and oil ships.
"The IRGC has also built an extensive network of tunnels and underground missile bunkers on these islands, creating what it calls 'static warships,'" the report said. "From this base of operations, Iran hopes to progressively raise the cost to any power -- the United States in particular -- that desires to maintain a military presence in the Persian Gulf."
The report envisioned Iranian mining, cruise missiles, swarming craft and suicide strikes. Eventually, Krepinevich said, Iran could begin to use nuclear weapons.
Iran was said to have an estimated inventory of up to 3,000 mines. IRGC also operates Chinese-origin fast attack craft and hundreds of patrol boats equipped with heavy machine guns and man-portable surface-to-air missiles.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_a.png?x-id=c1d0ef19-7b5c-4b7f-859d-cc8a1b145bbc)
7 comments:
I don't think Iran is stupid enough to use nuclear weapons against the United States, but what do I know?
I agree that Obama would strike against Iran if they provoked us by mining the Straits.
Iran has the power to harm Israel, but they are a tiny power in comparison to us and our perceived responsibilities. We would not shirk our responsibility to keeping world markets running, because we were afraid of Iran.
The notion is foolish.
Look at what Obama is doing to Pakistan, and they are a nuclear power with 100+ nukes.
Obama is not reticent about attacking when he needs to do so.
In fact, Obama has been stronger than Clinton in that area. And, in the case of Pakistan, one could make the argument that he has been stronger than Bush.
I think THEY think that a threat to the oil supplies will be a deterrent.
The reverse may turn out to be true
I think it's much more likely that it would be the reverse.
LOL
Although it looks as if Iran is painting itself into a corner and heading for an ass beating, there's really no telling what will actually happen. If and when a match is lit who knows how long or how far the fire will spread.
I personally think that whatever happens will work to the advantage of Turkey because of my belief in Bible prophecy.
I envision a weakening or at least the perception of a weakening in US, Iranian, and Saudi power in the region to be replaced to some degree by a Turkish influence.
I could be completely wrong, but just a thought.
I thought Gog and Magog were supposed to be Iran and Russia.
What does the Bible say that makes you think Turkey will increase in power?
Also, while we're on the subject you will find the Anti-Christ clearly identified as an 'Assyrian' in Micah Chapter 5. In Micah chapter 5, Jesus is clearly spoken of as delivering Israel from the 'Assyrian'. Read the whole chapter in context. Of course we know that Christ is the one who will eventually destroy the Anti-Christ in Israel.
Assyria could denote areas in modern Turkey, Syria, Iraq, or Iran and is included in Turkish Caliphate of the preceding 500 years or so before WW1.
Thanks.
Never knew that.
Post a Comment