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On July 22nd, UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt briefed the British Parliament on the situation surrounding the UK tanker by Iran.
In a House of Commons approximately 20% full, the UK top diplomat spoke of a plan to establish a joint European Task Force to patrol the Persian Gulf and guarantee security against “Iranian aggression.”
He said that “in the last 48 hours” discussions had taken place with a number of allies to form the protection force, and further talks are to be held later in the week.
The Foreign Secretary said: “It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing this increased international presence in the Gulf because the focus of our diplomacy has been on de-escalating tensions in the hope that such changes would not be necessary.”
It is showing how seriously the “Iran threat” is taken, as the top diplomat of the UK announces a Joint Task Force that could potentially, and by complete accident, start a war (let’s not be UK Media and say “WORLD WAR 3”) and the quorum isn’t even 50%.
Jeremy Hunt further showed that Western politics is mostly established on completely ignoring what the opposite side’s claims, but also not providing any evidence to back up your own claims. He said that Tehran had flagrantly flouted the law in capturing the Stena Impero in international waters.
He also attempted to create some distance between Britain and the United States.
Washington has broken with London on Iran policy as a result of President Donald Trump’s rejection of the international accord designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the accord last year and re-imposed harsh sanctions, which have had a severe effect on Iran’s economy.
The foreign secretary said the planned European mission was not part of the U.S. policy of exerting “maximum pressure” on Iran.
And US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo too said that “the responsibility … falls to the United Kingdom to take care of their ships.”
It was unclear which countries will join the protection force or how quickly it can be put in place. Hunt said he had consulted with foreign ministers of Oman, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Spain and Denmark.
No EU state had seized a ship using force in seas over a sanctions breach before and Tehran accused London of acting on US instructions.
But Jeremy Hunt told MPs that Iran “had no right to obstruct the ship’s passage, let alone board her” under international law.
“It was therefore an act of state piracy. We will now seek to put together a European-led maritime protection mission to support safe passage of both crew and cargo in this vital region,” he said.
“If Iran continues on this dangerous path, they must accept the price will be a larger western military presence in the waters along their coastline, not because we wish to increase tensions but simply because freedom of navigation is a principle which Britain and its allies will always defend,” he added.
Fabian Hamilton, the shadow minister for peace, warned of a “tit-for-tat cycle of actions”. The Labour minister questioned why a British-flagged tanker was “left so hopelessly unprotected in the Strait of Hormuz” when anyone with any understanding of the issue could see that “this was exactly” how Iranians would respond following the seizure of one of their tankers.
But, Iran’s “aggressive actions” were unacceptable even for the Minister of Peace:
“Iran’s actions in recent weeks in the Strait of Hormuz have been utterly unacceptable and should be condemned from all sides.”
The UK Chamber of Shipping backed the foreign secretary with Bob Sanguinetti, the chief executive officer, saying:
“We welcome the announcement of a joint European maritime mission to protect British and European interests in the Strait of Hormuz. While the European maritime mission is a step in the right direction, It is imperative that the UK government continues to protect the interests of British-flagged ships in the Gulf while the mission is assembled. This means formulating a mechanism that will provide confidence and security to allow ships to pass through the straits safely and securely. We continue to work closely with government to achieve this,” he added.
British Prime Minister Theresa May, after chairing her final COBRA meeting, through a spokesperson said that the UK and its interests needed to be protected, and that the country had the capability to do so.
“We always said that we will ensure we have all the capability that we need in order to protect the UK and serve its interests. We have the largest military budget in Europe. We are investing in a world-class royal navy”, the spokesperson said.
“The high volume of ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz – up to 30 ships covering more than 100 nautical miles – makes it impossible to escort vessels individually. We already work closely with international partners to ensure a co-ordinated effort to defend freedom of navigation, this includes sharing information on threats to shipping and offering mutual protection for each other’s vessels,” he added.
On the same day, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif alleged that Boris Johnson, who is slated to be the UK’s next Prime Minister could be under the influence of US National Security Adviser John Bolton.
Make no mistake:
Having failed to lure @realDonaldTrump into War of the Century, and fearing collapse of his #B_Team, @AmbJohnBolton is turning his venom against the UK in hopes of dragging it into a quagmire.
Only prudence and foresight can thwart such ploys.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) July 21, 2019
Regardless, it is worth considering what sort of a Joint Task Force the EU can muster to guarantee security in the Persian Gulf.
As per Jeremy Hunt, in addition to the UK itself, he had spoke to Oman, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Spain and Denmark. The US already has a presence there, with more likely en route.
The UK Royal Navy has 79 vessels in total. This includes ships under construction at the time and awaiting active deployment. It has 2 aircraft carriers, 6 destroyers, 5 frigates, 2 assault ships, 10 submarines, 15 mine hunters, 24 patrol ships, 5 survey ships. In general, the numbers of the UK Navy have significantly gone down since 1982-3.
Other than that, France and Spain have a naval force that’s not … somewhat comedic. Every other country’s naval assets cannot be considered as a significant asset in any sort of peace-keeping mission.
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yup. crisis initiation for an EU army
eu army..lololol
the French Fighting down there??? the Germans??? the dutch hahahahahah? Luxemburg? cracking up italy????? lolol oh for sure spanish People???? lolol so whats left??? oh i forgot ..sorry the BIG nations of denmark,austria,portugal… ok lets stop with this total nuicance…..
pathetic ridiculuos idea….period!
However, it is true and will be led by Germany. Wonder what language they will be speaking, when taking and receiving orders?
Look who pays the least in EU contributions and who gets the most out of the EU. Then check out the NATO GDP contributions and how so few manage the 2% commitment?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cb415441455a894cf989aea7283e9679ba7b9688315c804c1eaa649386666c21.gif
NATO GDP spending
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b846db2bd91c31b4119715680004bbaddcf5cc4966a87e7fd0d7977e8cdef7fc.jpg
The NATO contributions of 2% seems more like a it is a shakedown. They want that 2% of GDP to only be spent on American Military Hardware
That is what makes me laugh. You can buy anything, for the first priority of national security and defence, providing it is made in the USA. Which completely goes against the first priority of Government.
We need that to eliminate the falldowns like yourself , no offence .
? what do you mean? hows it working out having a drama substitute teacher running your country mate?
yeah the perfide albion is impotent and can’t sort the mess it got itself in when the pirated the Grace 1 and think that the eu is about to save their pompous ass.
Erm… EU Defense Union is a well documented fact… this is why traitorous governments of states within the EU have all allowed their armed forces to be decimated. including the UK’s. so that they can sell the idea that EU Military Unification is needed.
If you have not heard of EU defense Union, or things like border patrol force which can enter member states unilaterally if they dont think that member state is doing enough to protect its own borders. I suggest you refrain from scoffing at facts
My first thoughts. Whether in or out, the idiots in Westminster have stated we will still be part of the EU Army. Owing to cutting back, deliberately, so there would be no argument.
Article 42 Lisbon Treaty, all EU Member States will hand over Forces, weapons and systems to the EU. Ironic, with Germany controlling it all. If only Hitler had been patient, he would have found the EU gave him all that he desired.
I think that they will use the ‘iran crisis’ as an excuse to not deliver brexit, and because war is a national emergency, (or prospect of war could be) no snap GE will be called. Any tory or labour faithful wishing to be re elected will be under the brexit banner come next GE so liblabcon continue to have influence and control.
i try not to get involved too much with the old hitler thing, as evidence suggests he was fighting banksters as he brought germany out of economic ruin
Interesting, as I had not thought of that. Good point. Boris is pure AshkeNAZI Khazarian, so will not go against his masters, whatever he says. Reminds me of a version of Trump, all spin and no delivery. The only good thing, with regards him getting the keys to Number 10 (how long it lasts), is the clean out of the cabinet. Alan Duncan, pure Common Purpose and lusts after non-stop war, will not serve under Boris. Together with Philip Hammond, an ego in his own legend, with his Saudi freebie, dangling from his wrist.
Must admit, I find those who refuse to work with Boris, provide an interesting factor, owing to only serving for their own interests. The only good point with regards him getting in. Plus, Hunt, who no doubt will serve in some position, would have been even worse than Boris. He would have loaded the cabinet with Soros/Blair ‘REMOANERS’. Instead, most will not be invited and will decline a cabinet position. The bad news, Gavin ‘Dimwit’ Williamson, will be back in the Cabinet, owing to running the Boris campaign.
Forgot to say, Boris was Foreign Secretary, when the Skripals were poisoned. So cannot see relations with Russia improving. Plus, why did Boris lay a wreath to Nemtsov, when he was hosted by Russia?
Integrity Initiative, will have no problems with future funding, under Boris.
meanwhile in Syria s-300 systems have been attacked by rocket fire from rebels :/
https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/51861/opposition-hits-s-300-and-s-400-sites-in-hama.html
Time for a S-400 upgrade.
it was attacked by rocket grenades from the ground by terrorists, (or heroic rebels if you want to use the MSM line lol). surprised they managed to get close enough tbh. havent seen the report anywhere else yet tho. so personally havent checked to see if it is true.
Russia, China, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon are going to establish a joint naval task force in order to ensure safety in La Manche channel. How would the imperial bitches like that?
NOT
So the west does not like when others do to them exactly what they do to others, do they?
They don’t like more wrecks on the bottom of the already low level channel
really? So who is going to sink Russian fleet which caries superior missiles? You? UK Navy that is weakest it ever been? US as a start of the end of mankind???
Any NATO frigate which can carry enough missiles for every Russian rattletrap
its no secret to anyone today, that Russia has missiles with superior speed and range. That means any NATO warship would be destroyed before it is able to launch its own weapons. Dont you get it?
They have a few, don’t have money to replace the old ones, Russian fleet is a joke.
in your dreams boy. if it is such a joke why dont USA attack and defeat Russia with ease so you can continue to exploit the world?
Because the Moscow oligarchy already does that, they send all the money to American and European banks. Putin is just a puppet, Moscow is the city with the most billionaires from all cities on earth, while the most Russians are poor. Russia is the countriy with the most resources on earth, they should have a better life than Saudi Arabia citizens.
Russian citizens are actually doing better than some people in EU. For example the living standards in Russia are higher than in Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, maybe even some more. But to be honest the living standards in Russia still lag behind some western countries. But to understand why you need to look at the global politics development. Russia got really poor only after they accepted capitalism. But Russi and its living standard got much better in past 15 years which can not be said about western coutries. And also bear in mind that out of 190+ capitalist countirs on the planet only about 60 are actualy well developed capitalist coutries, the rest are poor capitalist countires. That actually says a lot.
Ok so you are a communist and you say USSR was better
unlike you, i can say from my own experience. i was born a grew up in socialist state of Warsaw pact that is now EU/NATO. Many things were better back then. Pics as proof? Perhaps this one says something too https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4f69c53b343cf299b750d2d42dc7848a8e3553a2076fc7792ffc8277ea8eaa46.jpg
All the homeless beggars in the West are mentals. Everybody afford a bed and a breakfast if they are able to get to a help center.
If you had a better life in communism that means your parents were collaborationist with the terror police and every piece of soy salami you swallowed had the price of a tortured innocent father or mother of another boy like you.
All you know about socialism is capitalist propaganda.
Its a fuckin shitthole and its time the people took back whats left of there sorry azz wasteland before its gone .
any real points?
If only the vodka drenched shitts could comprehend that it would not be a putin and pals getto .
Putin is doing a fantastic job of tearing Russia into a bunch of lawless shitthole rouge states ALL by himself .
are you actually living in the same dimension as the rest of the world?
Looks good with the new paint lol. EH
Missiles ha ha that’s all the waste land has good luck .
Just to help you not appear as ignorant for others: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-ship_missile
Your a funny fantasizer , diklick .
So many of us wish they would do exactly that.
When NATO was in a bi-polar relationship with the Warsaw Pact members, there was peace in Europe. Now, with the Warsaw Pact dismantled, NATO has turned into an offensive union. Never won anything, just leaves nations in a state of civil war. Can you imagine what the EU Army will be like?
In fact we can as it already exists in a nuclear form. Begian navy is integrated into Dutch navy, dutch marines are integrated operationally in UK marines, joined german dutch army forces etc.
@disqus_zc34AGMmHc:disqus , why should Dutch or Belgians risk their lives because Brits seized Iranian tanker? Do you understand that is very likely it’s all about: ” the international accord designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.” Looks like Brits, being USA puppies, want to pull EU out from the accord. Indeed, it is bad to be enemies with Brits, but it is worse to be friends with them. :)
It is for my government to make its decisions. UK has asked the Netherlands to participate. As long standing allies and friends with similar views on maritime law and trade, it just might be that the Netherlands might send some vessels. It seems debate on this is set for in a few weeks, calling back parlement from summer recess. I rate chances of Dutch participation on slightly over 50%
So as a Dutch National you are prepared to pay for that sh*t?
Yes.
Is your intention to keep conflicts away from your native shores?
And what if Iran will sink some Dutch vessels? Are you ready to go and die somewhere in the Iranian mountains just for letting some City fat cats make some extra money? And of course a hole in the state budget, because even “sending few vessels” costs a lot of money. Sorry, I can’t understand your logic. Are you Dutch or Kurdistan national?
I cannot follow your quasi logic. There is no chance I, or any dutchnational sailing in a task force to keep open crucial searoutes, will die in Iranian mountains.
As for the rather small costs of sending a ship abriad, they are sent abroad all the time. So there will hardly be any large expenses.
As for dutch navy ships being sunk, patrolling in int.l waters will not get any ships sunk. It will prevent merchant ships being taken or seized by piratical forces. As for any risk to their lives, that is a chance/risk our government will have to decide upon.
dutchnational , the logic is very straight. As you said, Dutch ships “will prevent merchant ships being taken or seized by piratical forces”. Lets look a little bit deeper in the situation.
As we know, Iranian navy are not scared to attack even USA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_U.S.%E2%80%93Iran_naval_incident
Let’s suppose that Iranian IRGC will try to seize another UK merchant ship, so Dutch navies have 2 ways to respond: 1. Pretend they didn’t spot any suspicious activity. 2. Try to stop IRGC.
If the 1st case occurs, most of the World will ask: what for then Dutch are there? If the 2nd case occurs, it’s high probability the Dutch ships will be attacked or sized by IRGC and as Iranians have a bunch of anti-ship missiles, IRGS can, also, easy sink all Dutch warships.
So, here we approach the explanation of my words about Iranian desert. Your Govt. has 2 ways to react on the Iranian attack: 1. Pretend nothing happened, but be humiliated by the rest of the World. 2. Start military operation.
Both ways will bring huge money loses. But 2nd way will bring human loses too. And, in my opinion, military operation will be the answer, because, in the 1st case, most of money losses will be on the behalf of International corporations, while 2nd way will hit simple people of Denmark.
So, in case of war, are you ready to die for your queen Margrethe somewhere in the Iranian mountains, of course if they will not sink your maritime transport on the way to Iran.
Just because the UK asked support for an act of piracy does NOT mean Rutte should go along with it.
Plus most UK military bases have been sold off, or are in the process, for when the Forces move to Brussels. Only we are not meant to know.
There will not be any forces moving anywhere, except for maybe this task force and for forces being moved towards eastern Europe where the dutch army and airforce are already having forces as well as our marine force yearly exercise in Norway.
how is famke doing?
…. just leaves nations in a state of civil war.
And in chaos, and in rubble.
However, the bankers enjoy the fruits of the planets destruction, so no doubt, they will never let it stop.
Right on.
Lel just try
I think Iran needs to know you cannot divert ships into your waters then make up a claim as to why you seized it , then the next day make another excuse and so on , shoot the thieves .
here we go again….Canadian fake Nation british masters cock sucker lolol
u british cock sucker…how does british Crown cum taste???
i´d love to strangle u with 1 arm……british master cock sucker
Friend, please give this kind of literature a rest. It’s impolite and it’s ugly. Thank you.
Your the ugliness along with your troll ruskies jackoffs .
My sister could pound the shiitt out of you , fruitloop run along now .
Darling, remind me why did the UK take the Iranian tanker, (remember neither Iran or Syria are EU nations), from the borders of the Spanish waters?
Sanctions are sanctions are you that fuccin stupid . In UK waters dufus .
Were they in UK water? It only stretches 3 miles outside of Gibraltar. Now exactly where did they take the tanker? Plus, Iran and Syria are not members of the EU. Did the UN authorise those sanctions?
Piracy is piracy, wherever it happens to be. We cannot whinge, wail and scream, when Iran retaliates. Especially when the ship was in the wrong shipping lane, hit a fishing boat, whilst ignoring the distress calls and not forgetting sailing with no transponders, in a passage of water, whose nation, controlling the waterway, is seriously cheesed off with the idiots in the West.
By the way, why is the US sticking their noses in, when they are not even signatories to the ‘Law of the Sea Convention’, which covers the Straits of Hormuz?
Royal Navy has only ordered one aircraft carrier, four fishing patrol vessels, one frigate and five subs for the next TEN YEARS as report warns it will get even smaller amid criticism it can’t protect ships in the Gulf Comes as questions have been raised over Britain’s ability to defend itself after attacks on UK vessels by Iran Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which joins ‘Big Lizzie’, is the only other of the behemoths being built There are two types of submarines underway, made up of the Astute class and Dreadnought-class To stem flow of migrants trying to reach the UK, four river-class offshore patrol vessels are being developed And a fleet of frigates are to join the UK’s defence force, but only one has been been given commission date … https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7274533/Royal-Navy-ordered-one-carrier-four-patrol-vessels-five-subs-frigate-TEN-YEARS.html
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/18977cdb0666f0432a0c7099c7ff843b937cefb6550298a0dd793e7ffd2803db.jpg
Europe has not got much else to offer. Who is going to help?
……………………… These are the top 10 most powerful militaries in the world:
United States (largest not most powerful, that falls to Russia) – NON-EU
Power Index rating: 0.0857 Total population: 323,995,528 Total military personnel: 2,363,675 Total aircraft: 13,762 Fighter aircraft: 2,296 Combat tanks: 5,884 Total naval assets: 415 (19 aircraft carriers) Defense budget: $587.8 billion
Russia (most powerful) – NON-EU
Power Index rating: 0.0929 Total population: 142,355,415 Total military personnel: 3,371,027 Total aircraft strength: 3,794 Fighter aircraft: 806 Combat tanks: 20,216 Total naval assets: 352 (one aircraft carrier) Defense budget: $44.6 billion
China – NON-EU
Power Index rating: 0.0945 Total population: 1,373,541,278 Total military personnel: 3,712,500 Total aircraft strength: 2,955 Fighter aircraft: 1,271 Combat tanks: 6,457 Total naval assets: 714 (one aircraft carrier) Defense budget: $161.7 billion
India – NON-EU
Power Index rating: 0.1593 Total population: 1,266,883,598 Total military personnel: 4,207,250 Total aircraft strength: 2,102 Fighter aircraft: 676 Combat tanks: 4,426 Total naval assets: 295 (three aircraft carriers) Defense budget: $51 billion
France – EU Power Index rating: 0.1914 Total population: 66,836,154 Total military personnel: 387,635 Total aicraft strength: 1,305 Fighter aircraft 296 Combat tanks: 406 Total naval assets: 118 (four aircraft carriers) Defense budget: $35 billion
United Kingdom – EU
Power Index rating: 0.2131 Total population: 64,430,428 Total military personnel: 232,675 Total aircraft strength: 856 Fighter aircraft: 88 Combat tanks 249 Total naval assets: 76 (two aircraft carriers) Defense budget: $45.7 billion
Japan – NON-EU
Power Index rating: 0.2137 Total population: 126,702,133 Total military personnel: 311,875 Total aircraft strength: 1,594 Fighter aircraft: 288 Combat tanks: 700 Total naval assets: 131 (four aircraft carriers) Defense budget: $43.8 billion
Turkey – NON-EU
Power Index rating: 0.2491 Total population: 80,274,604 Total military personnel: 743,415 Total aircraft strength: 1,018 Fighter aircraft: 207 Combat tanks: 2,445 Total naval assets: 194 Defense budget: $8.2 billion
Germany – EU
Power Index rating: 0.2609 Total population: 80,722,792 Total military personnel: 210,000 Total aircraft strength: 698 Fighter aircraft: 92 Combat tanks: 543 Total naval assets: 81 Defense budget: $39.2 billion
Egypt – NON-EU
Power Index rating: 0.2676 Total population: 94,666,993 Total military personnel: 1,329,250 Total aircraft strength: 1,132 Fighter aircraft: 337 Combat tanks: 4,110 Total naval assets: 319 (two aircraft carriers) Defense budget: $4.4 billion
Lisbon Treaty Article 42, where all EU member states will hand over their forces, weapons and systems to the EU. UK, whether in or out, will still join the EU Forces. This exercise, is just to prove that we our defences are too small to provide defence, so we need to be aligned with the EU Army. However, we are meant to be too dense to notice.
good, they have caused enough damage around the world
and now eu is alright, guess germany and a few others that stayed out of the dysfunctional states of A’s brouhaha in support of the squatters can continue safe shipping through the strait and won’t be bothered, unless of course the dysfunctional morons start an all out war (which they are bound to lose).
The hypocrisy, arrogance, asininity of this has-been re-wannabe empire UK is staggering. What a pathetic attempt at reviving its murderous past.
Che Guevarra was a murdering demon. It he your hero? He fought to create his own totalitarian regime just as Lenin and Hitler did. Cuba was not big enough for both Castro and Che, so Castro gave him the boot and Che went off looking for a people he could conquer and rule.
I am sorry pal, Che Guevara is off topic. Nice try, but it does not work. But thanks for implicitly confirming that I am right with my statement about the hypocrisy, arrogance, asininity of this has-been re-wannabe empire UK. History cannot be turned back, just remember.
Go educate yourself a bit more, then come back when you have something sensible to contribute.
You are the one who adopted his signature picture as your avatar. Know that those who refuse to learn history will forever remain children. Please do educate yourself a bit more, then come back when you have something sensible to contribute.
My avatar is NOT the topic here, so you’re off topic again pal. Educate yourself to understand what it means to stay on topic, before you start playing the smart alec. Thank you.
You do not define “the topic”. Neither did I say your choice of Avatar was the topic. I said you chose Che Guevara as your avatar which says a lot about you being either stupid, ignorant, or, like Che, a murdering demon every bit as much as murdering demons are arranging to attack Iran. Your hero would be on the side of those who would use the destabilization of the existing Iranian government to get themselves a cushy life at the expense of honest working people. Know that I am not your “pal”. I do not condone murderers and destroyers. My avatar shows what your hero did.
I do not define the topic, but you try to. The topic is the article, and the article is UK OUTLINES PLAN TO SEND EU-LED NAVAL JOINT TASK FORCE TO ‘ENSURE SAFETY’ IN PERSIAN GULF
That has absolutely nothing to do with my avatar, nor with what Che Guevara was. Period. Now get that straight in your head, pal: you DO NOT define the topic, and you DO NOT get to change the topic.
Go elsewhere to peddle your nonsense, pal.
You first. I would say kiss my ass but that would not be polite and you would most likely enjoy it and start licking and I do not tolerate queers. I will write what I please, define what I wish, you are completely insignificant, your uninformed opinions provide no useful information. In the first place, your avatar speaks for you. So it is you are a bald-faced hypocrite, Che, to talk about empire and murdering, which is exactly what Che was all about. His goal was to be dictator, at the top of the heap of corpses, just as Lenin stood on piles of corpses to terrify the living into tolerating in silence his reign of terror. All your fine talk about the British empire as if you knew anything is just more hot air. Even the average fool knows the British are mere proxies of the US deep state which is in turn a mere proxy for Zionist Israel. The Zionist goal is to manipulate the rest of the world into attacking Iran and reducing that people to the chaos of Egypt, Iraq, Libya, and, if the Zionist succeeds, Syria.
Of course you can write what you please, but that does not make it relevant to the topic, not even from a tough guy like you. And since my avatar is not the topic of the article, you are off topic, cowboy.
Funny how most Brits are still sensitive about criticism of their beloved country, even if it is historic-empire-rewannabe empire. It knows it cannot be an empire in the former glorious sense, but there are other ways, such as being a sycophantic lapdog of the US, which itself is an empire in decline.
I agree with your final para.
Oh, BTW, if you don’t like my comments, don’t read them, it’s as simple as that, but polluting a thread with your vulgarity just makes matters worse. And, I will continue criticising your beloved ex-empire, i.e. like someone said: I will write what I please, define what I wish.
Impotent UK Navy needs help from the EU the UK has trashed.
and this has been done on purpose to make EU Military Unification more palatable to member states.
Good point.
the responsibility … falls to the United Kingdom to take care of their ships.
Is anybody buying that? To me it seems the British government was dying to jump and follow orders from the US to send some ships, that’s the excuse and the push they needed to justify poking their nose where it doesn’t belong to their own people. British media is very busy selling that.
It is also worth mentioning that Iran detained the tankers because they violated a number a of rules, it wasn’t a tit for tat and doesn’t count. In other words, Iran’s reaction and retaliation for the theft of it’s cargo is yet to come. In the meantime, we will learn from the vessels they intend to send here. It’s not us who pays a heavy price for them to be here. If they want to limit their own vessels, let them.
Some people here are itching for Britain to confiscate something of Iran, including yours truly. The British embassy leased a huge garden in northern Tehran during Nassereddin Shah of Qajar dinesty for 90 years (then the garden was outside city limits). Using the chaos resulted by WW1, the artificial famine and the coup of 1920 they kept the garden by counterfeiting deeds and signatures of some dead heirs to the garden. Pahlavi never bothered to fix this issue and since the 1979 revolution, a couple of times the issue was brought to parliament but each time something happened and they brushed it under the carpet. Something tells me this time it will be fixed for good
Desperate attempt by MSM to conflate fully-justified Iranian seizure of oil smuggler with completely different seizure of Stena Impero to cloud the facts. Equally desperate false-flag attempt by Brits ‘providing’ a non-AIS reporting ship in heavily-trafficked lanes that does not respond to radio calls, and then saying nothing about the HMS Montrose being 8nm away the whole time knowing what was happening.
1) was Steno Impero’s AIS transponder even working properly when it was IN the busy shipping lane around tip of Oman? It should have been reporting continuously every minute as required – the ship tracking sites would show this as evenly spaced markers. You can even figure the ship’s approximate speed by marker-per-minute. Steno Impero WASN’T reporting AIS position for at least two different intervals as it was going around the curve. Publicly-available info on any ship tracking site (see tweet) but spun as ‘Iranian propaganda’. It did not report AIS for several minutes as it was nearing the end of shipping lane. Iran had no idea what its intentions were except that the last AIS said it was beginning a slow turn port eventually putting it INTO the opposing shipping lane. Curiously, the Stena Impero’s AIS started working fine again after Iranian ships/helicopter showed up. That’s at least enough justification for Iran to call the captain and ask what the hell was going on.
2) Why nothing about ANY voice radio transmissions FROM Steno Impero TO Iran Ports and Harbors, IRGC, British Navy, NATO or their own shipping company? Absolutely NO distress calls when an Iranian chopper starts fast-roping guys on your deck? Un-f’king believable. And NOBODY in the MSM questions this? The only radio conversations the MSM reported were between the IRCG and HMS Montrose (only 8nm away according to MarineTraffic.com (screen cap in Tweet). And the Brit Navy apparently only responded on radio because they heard the IRCG giving the ship orders and warnings about boarding on the emergency frequency. The Brits warned the IRCG from attempting that. Obviously ignored. I’m assuming a British warship can see exactly where this was all happening with their radars. Even then, the 27-kn-capable Brit frigate just sat there while Iran fled with the tanker at – what – 5 kts? What the f’king hell?
https://twitter.com/PavewayIV/status/1153709472600199168
I think parties should come face the facts. There is little anyone can do to pressure Iran. It is going to be a nuclear power. Iran on the other hand should stop being a hostage taker and start to appear as a responsible country. If right now, the rest of us are inconvenienced by higher oil prices due to geography, imagine what else can they get as hostage with nukes. Everybody should deescalate and resume business as usual.
In a parlementary debate, not followed by any voting, in most parlements only members who are tasked with the subject discusssed are present, so often just a handful that decide what course their parties will take on the subject. Once a vote is on the roll, all members, except for those abroad or sick, are present. So to disparage interest by commenting on the numbers present jusf shows ignorance of how a parlement operates. Not surprising for someone coming from a dictatorship.
assemble a gang of pirates because just one on one, uk is no match to iran’s capability to defend and retaliate.
on its own uk is a pathetic wimp wearing a cardboard armor and horror mask with plastic fangs.
Your very wrong rag head
No one is gonna fight UK’s wars.
There was no problem at all until the Zionists ordered the US deep state to attack Iran.
Argentina almost decimated the RN Task Force in Malvinas with Skyhawks, iron bombs and nerve of steel. Iran will need to take out the RN nuclear sub lurking about, the plan will be to sink an Iranian ship just the ARA Gen Belgrano……
https://media2.giphy.com/media/AAPOjvUkaNqPC/giphy.gif
Double talk. The UK does not have the capability to save itself from its own stupidity.
The US deep state under full Zionist control ordered the UK to cause an “incident” in the Persian Gulf to provide a pretext to invade Iran.
The US and UK might lose thousands of lives while killing hundreds of thousand of Persian people, but that is a risk Israel is prepared to take.