Iran Nuclear Standoff

[cycloneye]

Tensions rise after the likking of an Iranian nuclear scientist.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45953703/ns ... _n_africa/

[cycloneye]

I sense that things are inching closer and closer towards a military conflict.

Israel's red line

For the past year, Israel and the West have reportedly spoken about a clear red line that, if crossed, meant military action was likely the only way to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

This imaginary line has delineated the point where the Iranians go to the so-called “breakout stage,” kick out international inspectors from their facilities, start enriching uranium to military- grade levels and begin building a nuclear bomb.

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=252902

[cycloneye]

Iranian speed boats get close to U.S ships.



Iranian ships recently taunted two U.S. Navy vessels as part of escalating tensions in and around the Persian Gulf's Strait of Hormuz.

The incidents in the strait, one of the world's most important oil routes, occurred last week and involved the USS New Orleans, an amphibious transport dock, and the Coast Guard Cutter Adak, the military said Friday in releasing videos of the incidents.

Iranian speed boats are seen in one of the videos approaching the USS New Orleans within about 500 yards last Friday.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/01/13 ... z1jQqEaAPb

[Portastorm]

I saw the videos. Unfortunate because it is those kinds of stunts where sometimes things go wrong ... and events spiral out of control, and then chaos ensues. The professional men and women in our Navy will need to exercise caution but remain vigilant. God bless 'em.

[cycloneye]

Israel says if Iran completes the making of Nuclear Weapons,military action will be detered for reasons that you can read here.


JERUSALEM -- A nuclear Iran could make it tougher for Israel to act against enemies closer to home, a senior Israeli military official said Tuesday, suggesting that regional fallout would be broad should Tehran achieve bomb making capabilities.

Military planning division chief Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel said if Tehran attains atomic weapons, that could constrain Israel from striking Iranian-backed Islamist groups in Lebanon and Gaza, Hezbollah and Hamas.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/01/17 ... z1jpd1zehX

[cycloneye]

Tensions rise as Iran will close Strait of Hormuz

http://rt.com/news/iran-close-strait-ho ... bargo-455/

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/23/world ... ?hpt=hp_t1

[cycloneye]

US,France and Great Britain send ships thru Strait of Hormuz

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... ormuz.html

[mf_dolphin]

I really don't think that Iran is stupid enough to really try and close the straights. Lots of sabre rattling as usual but they know they're out-classed militarily in ever respect.

[cycloneye]

Iran says oil embargo will be ineffective.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/01/24 ... latestnews

[RL3AO]

Well I'm sure China will take the oil they just wont pay top dollar for it since there isn't the demand on it.

[cycloneye]

U.S will seek a more powerful bomb to penetrate very deep underground the Iranian nuclear facilities.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01 ... acilities/

[cycloneye]

Iran wants a way out of the sanctions and threat of military action? Maybe a sultan may be the peacemaker that provokes things to not explode in that region.

Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, a longtime, discreet intermediary with Iran, says that Iran is seriously seeking a way out of American-led sanctions over its nuclear program and urges the United States to re-engage the regime on a variety of issues, not just its nuclear program.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/01/31 ... z1l4J5p0Qw

[cycloneye]

Israel may attack nuclear facilities by spring

And the war talk continues to go up.



U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta won't dispute a report that he believes Israel may attack Iran this spring in an attempt to set back the Islamic republic's nuclear program.

Panetta was asked by reporters to comment on a Washington Post opinion column by David Ignatius that said Panetta believes there is a "strong likelihood" that Israel will attack in April, May or June. Ignatius did not say who told him this.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-d ... e-1.410680

[cycloneye]

Irans Supreme Ayatollah warns Israel and U.S

And the heat continues to go up.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's supreme leader pledged Friday to aid any nation or group that challenges Israel and said any military strikes over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program would damage U.S. interests in the Middle East "10 times over."

The nationally broadcast comments by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei staked out a hard line in apparent replies to suggestions that military strikes are an increasing possibility if sanctions fail to rein in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

It also may signal that Tehran's proxy forces — led by Lebanon's Islamic militant group Hezbollah — could be given the green light to revive attacks on Israel as the showdown between the archfoes intensifies.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... bf4c059ec7

[vbhoutex]

I still say blah, blah, blah. I don't think they can back up their claims. If the fire one bullet or launch one missle at a real target it will probably be the last one they do.

[cycloneye]

Iran begins new military excersises

And the tension continues to rise.

TEHRAN, Iran February 4, 2012 (AP)

Iran began ground military exercises Saturday and defiantly warned that it could cut off oil exports to "hostile" European nations as tensions rise over suggestions that military strikes are an increasing possibility if sanctions fail to rein in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.


http://abcnews.go.com/International/wir ... t-15512158

[Bunkertor]

Uhm. Where is the problem when the Iran is doing military excercises in their region.
As a ABC news operator i would be astonished what "my" Navy has lost 10 k miles away from home
It is correct that the Rep. of Iran told the Euros to stop oil exports. It would be even more correct to mention that Germany has sent a note that they ( we ) were planning to cut off oil IMPORTS from Iran. That´s a big difference.

Btw. Not long ago Germany ( and the U.S. ) and even Israel sold vast amounts of weapons, mostly products of the eastern bloc, to the "Ayathollas", often via Swedish, Danish and the German ports of Kiel (AND Rostock in the former GDR!!).
Germany often relayed weapons on behalf of the United states , because of the battered reputation of the USA in the middle east or because the USA wanted to stay behind the scene.

[cycloneye]

Iran to make major announcement on nuclear program

More blah,blah,blah.

TEHRAN – Iran will soon unveil "big new" nuclear achievements, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday while reiterating Tehran's readiness to revive talks with the West over the country's controversial nuclear program.

Ahmadinejad spoke at a rally in Tehran as tens of thousands of Iranians marked the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that toppled the pro-Western monarchy and brought Islamic clerics to power.

Ahmadinejad did not elaborate on the upcoming announcement but insisted Iran would never give up its uranium enrichment, a process that makes material for reactors as well as weapons.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/02/11 ... z1m4x3gOb3

[cycloneye]

Iran steps up Nuclear program

IMO,after this news,Israel has no choice to attack Iran's Nuke facilities.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/15/world ... ?hpt=hp_t3

http://news.yahoo.com/why-ahmadinejad-e ... 09971.html

[cycloneye]

Here is a long articule of what options are available to Israel and the U.S to deter Iran from making Nuclear Weapons. If you read the tibdits there,the war drums are going to be heard louder as time goes ahead.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/fe ... ary-action