US Commanded Boat fires at Iranian Boat

US Commanded Boat fires at Iranian Boat

news.sky.com

A ship under US military command has fired at least one shot towards an Iranian boat, officials say.

A US defence official said the cargo ship is contracted by the US Military Sealift Command.

In January, the US said Iranian boats threatened its warships along a route used for crude oil shipments..

(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 25-4-2008 by TreX-UK]

Breaking news not much about it at the mo will keep you updated!

news.sky.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

blogs.usatoday.com...

[edit on 25-4-2008 by TreX-UK]

[edit on 25-4-2008 by TreX-UK]

[edit on 25-4-2008 by TreX-UK]

Yup this is the second time in a couple weeks...they are trying real hard to start a war before bush gets out of office. I guess I better get ready for the draft...

Thinking this will turn out more like that Suez Incident with just a little bit more tit for tat between the two governments this time!

wouldn't blame any one though if speed boats are coming at you and they don't look friendly dog eat dog world these days

I really shudder to think that this could be the catalyst for our next "war on terror." But anything is possible when you've got a Bush in the whitehouse.

Originally posted by TreX-UK
Thinking this will turn out more like that Suez Incident with just a little bit more tit for tat between the two governments this time!

wouldn't blame any one though if speed boats are coming at you and they don't look friendly dog eat dog world these days

Exactly. And considering the US just got berated for not being more active combating piracy in the region, I think it's funny now they are the bad guys because they fired a shot in the direction of harassing boats.

From what I understand, this is not a new thing.

Iran has played these games for decades, the difference is now we are reading about it each time.

What I did not see/read is if this insident occured in "international waters" or not.

If the US flagged ship accidently wandered into Iranian waters, then they might be justified in "escorting" the ship(s) into international waters.

If, however, as I suspect, it was in international waters, then the ship had every reason to sink the Iranian boats-which it did not.

Very soon, Iran will get it's wish by having one of it's attack boats sunk for charging/attacking an American/American flagged ship in international waters.

Lets not forget the USS cole, EVRERY ship in the M.E. has VERY good reason to fire at any small boat approaching a ship and not communicating through radio/flags/lights/hand signals.

Originally posted by mrmonsoon


What I did not see/read is if this insident occured in "international waters" or not.

I just now heard it reported that said incident occurred 50 miles off the Iranian coast.
I must show my ignorance here and ask why a cargo ship - under military command (wth does that mean?) - is firing shots at these boats ?

Cheers.



[edit on 25-4-2008 by ImJaded]

reply to post by mrmonsoon


Yes, Iran is very lucky so far. The US gunners have every right to shoot to hit.

Its just crazy to get within 100 yards of any allied ship with all thats going on and "has" gone on.

Iran is just asking for a dip in the ocean and a visit to Davy Jones.

reply to post by RUFFREADY


So 50 miles off their own shores is considered International waters ?
No sarcasm intended at all, I am honestly unsure if it is or not.


edit to add - Iran may be inciting an attack on purpose, something to consider.
They have been known to be "bold" in their approach, even if just mere words at this stage, to those who oppose them.

[edit on 25-4-2008 by ImJaded]

reply to post by _Del_


You see the classic double standard others apply to the US.

If we do nothing, we are ignoring problems-turning our back on them.@@:

If we do something, we are the big bad empire sticking our nose in others business.

Since America is always the bad guy, I say sink all the darn Iranian boats that harassed American/American flagged ships in international waters

Iranian TV saying it wasn't there boats
but lets take that with a large amount of salt

reply to post by TreX-UK


Well the boats were not identified and it was noted that they were "believed to be Iranian"

I am not saying I doubt they were but I don't operate on assumptions ... nor does ATS last time I checked.
And while we're at it, I don't believe 99.9% of what I see on TV and that applies to wherever it comes from, be it Iran or the USA.


[edit on 25-4-2008 by ImJaded]

Originally posted by ImJaded
I just now heard it reported that said incident occurred 50 miles off the Iranian coast.
I must show my ignorance here and ask why a cargo ship - under military command (wth does that mean?) - is firing shots at these boats ?

[edit on 25-4-2008 by ImJaded]

It just means the vessel is part of U.S Military Sealift Command. It may or may not be owned by the government or chartered from private service. Basically like the Air Force has an agreement to charter commercial aircraft in the event they are needed. That is why it is not referred to as a US Navy ship.
If I had to guess it's probably a civilian ship under service with a security crew of Marines.
Knowing the history in the region, if a small craft is approaching the ship and not communicating or responding to visual or radio signals, I am surprised they did not sink the boat. Amazing restraint, imo.

Think of the source, terrorist times and news is to be questioned MORE than Fox/CNN!!!!!!!!

Where as I know it was done on purpose, other countries in the M.E. are getting tired/angry at Iran's constant attempts to start a war.

reply to post by _Del_


Ok thank you. I appreciate the lesson.
Funny thing is, I am a Navy wife, although new to it all, if they weren't working my husband so hard I'd be able to have this conversation with himself.

Cheers

reply to post by mrmonsoon


Sounds fair to me. If you approach a ship in international waters and refuse to acknowledge radio and visual signaling, you are not out on a pleasure cruise. Piracy is not uncommon, the Cole learned the hard way that even a small boat can be dangerous, and tensions are already high. Why deliberately provoke something with an aggressive move like that? I'd green light release every time under those circumstances.

reply to post by ImJaded


Here are the internationally accepted rules for how far out into water(s) a countries control applies.

"The convention set the limit of territorial waters to 12 nautical miles (22 km), in which area the coastal state is free to set laws, regulate any use, and use any resource. Vessels were given the right of "innocent passage" through any territorial waters, with strategic straits allowing the passage of military craft as "transit passage", in that naval vessels are allowed to maintain postures that would be illegal in territorial waters. Beyond the 12 nautical mile (22 km) limit there was a further 12 nautical mile (22 km) or 24 nautical miles (44 km) from the territorial sea baselines limit, the "contiguous zone", in which area a state could continue to enforce laws regarding activities such as smuggling or illegal immigration."
International Waters

Iran can claim whatever they want, but no one else will respect it.

For example, Lybia claimed a lot and dared the US to cross their "line of death"
We did and dropped a few of their jets for good measure. (links on request)

Just wanted to remind everyone it was just last week that unknowns possibly pirates fired rockets at a Japanese oil tanker off the coast of Yemen.

So this is a very dangerous area. I would be very paranoid if I was working on a ship like that.

The Yanks shoulda filmed the incident...

That way they couldn't get whipped for responding to antagonising behaviour.

But at least nobody was hurt...

Makes you wonder if it is Iran, or just somebody with an agenda that wants Iran to get blamed. I'm not sure.