Deployments extended…
#13
Curiouser and curiouser…
https://thehill.com/policy/internati...amid-war-gaza/
Iran threatens to close Mediterranean Sea citing US ‘crimes’ in Gaza
BY NICK ROBERTSON - 12/23/23 12:00 PM ET
Iran threatened Saturday that the Mediterranean Sea could be “closed” if the U.S. and Israel continued “crimes” in Gaza, state media reported, according to Reuters.
The Iranian government has showed support for militant group Hamas in its war against Israel, while the U.S. has strongly backed Israel — despite growing criticism of the Israeli military’s war effort.“They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar and other waterways,” state media Tasnim quoted Iranian Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi as saying.
Iran has accused the Israeli military, and the U.S. as its close ally, of committing war crimes in Gaza. Over 20,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict since early October, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Biden administration has pressed the Israeli military to step back from major military operations amid the rising civilian death toll and international pressure.
They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar and other waterways,” state media Tasnim quoted Iranian Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi as saying.
It is unclear how Iran would follow through on such a threat, as the country has no direct access to the Mediterranean Sea and no major naval presence outside the Persian Gulf.
Naqdi referenced attacks on Gibraltar would be an escalation of Red Sea attacks on shipping from Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Iran-backed rebel group launched attacks on cargo ships and U.S. warshipsnear the Horn of Africa last week, stepping up operations in the years-long Yemeni Civil War.
“Yesterday, the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz became a nightmare for them, and today they are trapped … in the Red Sea,” Naqdi said, referencing the Houthi attacks, according to state media.
The Iranian government has showed support for militant group Hamas in its war against Israel, while the U.S. has strongly backed Israel — despite growing criticism of the Israeli military’s war effort.“They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar and other waterways,” state media Tasnim quoted Iranian Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi as saying.
Iran has accused the Israeli military, and the U.S. as its close ally, of committing war crimes in Gaza. Over 20,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict since early October, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Biden administration has pressed the Israeli military to step back from major military operations amid the rising civilian death toll and international pressure.
They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar and other waterways,” state media Tasnim quoted Iranian Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi as saying.
It is unclear how Iran would follow through on such a threat, as the country has no direct access to the Mediterranean Sea and no major naval presence outside the Persian Gulf.
Naqdi referenced attacks on Gibraltar would be an escalation of Red Sea attacks on shipping from Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Iran-backed rebel group launched attacks on cargo ships and U.S. warshipsnear the Horn of Africa last week, stepping up operations in the years-long Yemeni Civil War.
“Yesterday, the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz became a nightmare for them, and today they are trapped … in the Red Sea,” Naqdi said, referencing the Houthi attacks, according to state media.
#14
Iran does this periodically, the fact that they can disrupt commercial shipping (oil) in the SoH is their claim to fame and lever to get attention.
They also know if they ever actually do it they wouldn't have a navy or much of an air force left afterwards.
They also know if they ever actually do it they wouldn't have a navy or much of an air force left afterwards.
#15
Perhaps so, but the US Navy is going to have to get its act together with regard to ship numbers, maintenance, and crew training. Quality and technological superiority can only do so much. Numbers count too, and those numbers aren't that great.
#16
While it might appear on occasion the the USN wants to reduce the fleet size I can 100% guarantee that's because they aren't funded to maintain it adequately, and are trying to balance resources... best combination of numbers and types of ships, while still being able to maintain and man them with allocated funding.
AF does the same with planes. Army somewhat less so because their hardware is less complex and costly, they are more manpower intensive.
#17
Occasional box hauler
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,684
That's up to the politicians, via budgets.
While it might appear on occasion the the USN wants to reduce the fleet size I can 100% guarantee that's because they aren't funded to maintain it adequately, and are trying to balance resources... rbest combination of numbers and types of ships, while still being able to maintain and man them with allocated funding.
AF does the same with planes. Army somewhat less so because their hardware is less complex and costly, they are more manpower intensive.
While it might appear on occasion the the USN wants to reduce the fleet size I can 100% guarantee that's because they aren't funded to maintain it adequately, and are trying to balance resources... rbest combination of numbers and types of ships, while still being able to maintain and man them with allocated funding.
AF does the same with planes. Army somewhat less so because their hardware is less complex and costly, they are more manpower intensive.
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