Iran says warships sailing towards U.S.: agency

[Zorro]

Source: Reuters

An Iranian naval officer said a number of warships had been ordered to approach U.S. maritime borders as a response to the stationing of U.S. vessels in the Gulf, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Saturday.

"Iran's military fleet is approaching the United States' maritime borders, and this move has a message," the agency quoted Admiral Afshin Rezayee Haddad as saying.

Haddad, described as commander of the Iranian navy's northern fleet, said the vessels had started their voyage towards the Atlantic Ocean via "waters near South Africa", Fars reported.

Fars said the plan was part of "Iran's response to Washington's beefed up naval presence in the Persian Gulf."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/iran-says-warships-sailing-towards-u-agency-214302042--finance.html

[warrior1]

1. In winter?

[freemay20]

4. Winter??

UMMM, yes. Right now would be the best time to navigate the coast of south Africa. Not all hemispheres have winter at the same time. It is a simple geographical and weather fact. Hello?? Winter here is summer in the opposite hemisphere. DUH!

[Warren Stupidity]

19. not all nations have deep water naval fleets. In fact hardly any do.

Iran would be on the long list of "doesn't".

[EX500rider]

45. Sailing north now into the N Atlantic will be winter...n/t

[penultimate]

66. You must be a pleasant person to be around.

[raccoon]

68. How old are you? Ten? nt

[sked14]

69. You're calling the wrong person ignoramus and idiot,

look in a mirror to address the right person.

[EX500rider]

70. Who's the idiot-read much? They are headed to US waters via the Cape of Good Hope..

....they round that and head NORTH to the NORTH ATLANTIC to get to USA....we are actually no where near South Africa, but if they don't take the Suez then they go that way. lol

"Haddad, described as commander of the Iranian navy's northern fleet, said the vessels had started their voyage towards the Atlantic Ocean via "waters near South Africa"" Started, not finished.

[FSogol]

72. You mad bro?

[In_The_Wind]

73. My guess is ... yup ...

Really??
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=727206

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Is it that hard to disagree without name calling? Call are against the rules on DU.

JURY RESULTS

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Feb 14, 2014, 03:41 PM, and the Jury voted 6-0 to HIDE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No need to be nasty. This is what makes DU suck
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: That is way over the top.
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Clean up your act.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Rude.
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given

[FSogol]

74. Some people just need to switch to decaf or was that the Miss SC who warmed us of our tragic map

shortage?

[In_The_Wind]

76. Ya got me there.

[FSogol]

78. Here

[In_The_Wind]

80. Clearly: The problem is a map shortage.

I don't count the cups [img][/img] oh, and there is caffeine.

[Ash_F]

2. Both nations wasting precious tax dollars. /nt

[indepat]

57. Not to mention the dwindling reserves of fossil fuels?

[pangaia]

3. Well, well, well.

Isn't that a hoot.
A little payback, have we?
This should be interesting.

[Agnosticsherbet]

5. Typical Cold War behavior

It's just out other dancing partner has changed.

[truebluegreen]

18. I don't think Iran is in quite the same league as the Soviet Union...

or ever could be.

[Agnosticsherbet]

21. I agree that they are not in the same league as the defunct Soviets.

But this tit for tat military moves is very Cold War like.

[JDPriestly]

30. It strikes me as foolish. Do they seriously think the US would not destroy their fleet and

swiftly move to destroy other vital military locations in Iran at the same time? This is a desperate move. I don't see how Iran could possibly see this as a win. They are way outsmarted and outmaneuvered and out-equipped and outsmarted by the US. What a futile gesture. They need to make a good faith attempt to cooperate with the US.

[truebluegreen]

41. They are posturing for the home audience.

The most devastating response would be to ignore them.

[sked14]

42. Naw, the most devastating response would be this:

?1345148619

[truebluegreen]

43. Oop, you're right! Much better.

[bkanderson76]

6. An Iranian Military 'Fleet'?....You're Kidding Right?

[NutmegYankee]

7. So?

So they want to cruise in international waters. Can't say I'm all that concerned. And besides, I'm sure the Submarine force has got 'em covered if they tried anything.

[AtheistCrusader]

8. Around the world, defense contractors smile in unison

[bobclark86]

9. Their entire navy has less firepower...

than the New York Yacht Club.

They stroll into U.S. waters, they're going to get vaporized.

[razorman]

26. I don't know that we would sink them if they stray into our waters.

But, we could definitely put them on the bottom within minutes of the order being given. I assure you, our people are aware of the Iranian ships' locations at all times.

[JDPriestly]

31. We might simply put them under a sort of arrest. Anyway, we would know everything that is going on

on board their ships or submarines or whatever in no time at all.

That is where surveillance capacity comes in handy. Whether we actually have that kind of capacity or not, and we probably do when you consider our satellites and submarines, etc., the Iranians are fools to even threaten to come perilously close to our waters.

[iamthebandfanman]

33. Nah, warnings...

if that doesn't work, warning shots...

now if that didn't work.. you might see an iran ship actually get struck.. but thatd be a last resort for sure..


I think folks are looking to into this tho ..
its just another lame act by another desperate country to get out some chest puffing for the sake of chest puffing...
totally pulling a north korea, like others have said.

nothing to worry about.

[jsr]

10. Here's the inventory of the Iranian Navy:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/ships.htm

[LanternWaste]

63. A handful of destroyers and frigates, plus subs and auxiliary and support craft.

A handful of destroyers and frigates, plus subs and auxiliary and support craft. Not much more than a whispered statement...

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

11. Good luck to them.

I'm all for them minding heir own business, but biting the hand that wants to find a diplomatic solution with you is not a wise thing.


Also, never show your hand. bad form.


Is the article reliable?

[EX500rider]

12. Well when the Iranian's sent their "28th Fleet"

....to port of calls in India, the press releases mentioned that one of the ships was a “heavy submarine” and another was a “helicopter carrier".

Turned out to be 1 old Kilo class sub-(2,300 tons-most nuclear attack subs displace over 7,000 tons and ballistic missile carrying nuclear subs range from 12,000 to 24,000 tons) and a 1,500 ton British built frigate (from the 1970s) and an equally elderly 4,400 ton supply ship with a helicopter landing area and the ability to carry a helicopter. This vessel was described as a “helicopter carrier.”

I imagine for this trip they will include a ocean going tug boat also.

[sharp_stick]

13. Hopefully they don't come across any waves

that would be bad.

[eggplant]

14. I don't think they were sending a message to the US

They were more likely sending a message to their own people (propaganda starts at home).

Can you imagine if an Iranian flag military vessel were to engage us, either by crossing our border or firing on one of our ships? Iran's entire Navy would be at the bottom of the ocean in days. Nobody (with the exception of Shorty over there in North Korea) is that stupid.

[Brigid]

22. "Shorty over there in North Korea . . . "

[UTUSN]

15. Uh, they suffer so much from sanctions yet spend on a Navy?!1 n/t

[truebluegreen]

20. Why not? We have spent a boatload

convincing them they needed it.

Or were we convincing ourselves?

[TomClash]

16. Not the smartest move

Positioned at Camp Patriot, SLBMs can basically eliminate much of the Iran in about 20 minutes.

Not that I would ever want to see that. Ever.

This "response" is a joke.

[Warren Stupidity]

17. This is ridiculous bullshit. nt.

[hrmjustin]

23. Dumb move on their part.

[Wolf Frankula]

24. This is Propaganda, not anything Seriously Military

Iran is saying, "If you can send ships off our coasts, we can send ships off your coasts." I'm sure the orders will be to scrupulously avoid US waters, show the flag, and then go home in a few weeks.

Wolf

[albino65]

25. Are they sure they're not speaking of "ships of the desert" n/t

[Loudly]

29. Can camels swim? Or do they only wade?

[jberryhill]

52. Well, they are filled with Iranian seamen

[albino65]

54. Hee, hee, hee

You said seamen.

[bravenak]

27. And just how BIG are these ships? And how many sailors?

I just want to know how many sailors we're going to need to rescue. We should plan for that. We can't just let them die out there on the open seas. That would be mean.

[underthematrix]

28. PSYOPS - don't believe the hype

[iamthebandfanman]

32. /facepalm n/t

[Codeine]

85. *snort* nt

[spin]

34. The "fleet" is a destroyer and a helicopter-carrying supply ship. ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26105749

Probably one or the other will break down and need towed to port for repairs.

[bravenak]

59. I bet we end up having to be the ones that tow them home.

At our expense, of course.

[spin]

60. Of course. (n/t)

[pediatricmedic]

35. Anyone betting on when one of their ships breaks down and needs to be towed? nt

[lostincalifornia]

36. If true, as long as they are in international waters, does it really matter?

[jayfish]

37. A Maritime Guide For The Iranian Navy As It Enters US Coastal Waters.

A maritime guide for the Iranian Navy as it enters US coastal waters

Reader reviews

[flying rabbit]

40. Funny

[FSogol]

75. +1. Looking forward to reading, "How to avoid the Empire State Building." n/t

[Comrade Grumpy]

38. What a fine display of jingoism evident in the replies so far.

[EX500rider]

48. Please....it's not "jingoism" to realize the Iranian Navy is a joke..

.....filled with 30-40 year old relics and more dangerous to the sailors on them then to anybody else.

Their entire navy basically consist of 3 frigates and 2 corvettes and some old Russian subs.

[albino65]

50. Lighten Up

[rafeh1]

39. the story

Seems to be plant. Is the congress looking to cut navy budgets again?

[muriel_volestrangler]

47. You think the Iranian admiral is a plant?

Now, that would be news.

[albino65]

55. "Feed me Seymour" n/t

[L0oniX]

44. "We're fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them here" Oh I get it now.

[kentauros]

46. "a number of warships"

Zero is also "a number"

Honestly, my first thought upon seeing just the headline was "How many of these warships have been Photoshopped into the group?" (Remember that missile launch demo that included at least one non-existent missile and delivery system that had been digitally pasted in?)

[2banon]

51. When did the coast of South Africa become U.S. Coastal Waters?

I missed that section in my high school history class 50 years ago.

[bearssoapbox]

53. I'm picturing a dysfunctional McHales Navy type fleet.

But hearing the theme from Gilligan's Island.

Which will be in my head all day.

[hedgehog]

56. I expect to see the Iranian ships pestered by various right wingers in yachts.

[FSogol]

77. Or captured by Somalian pirates?

Stay safe Iranian Navy!

[WatermelonRat]

58. I'd like to know more about the ships they're sending.

From what I've heard, Iran's navy is based around small missile boats and minelayers. I don't think they even have any destroyers.

[penultimate]

65. They have a few frigates and a few diesel subs from the 60's and 70's.

[Recursion]

67. They have some diesel-electric subs and some frigates

Though remember that diesel-electric subs can be maddeningly quiet when they want to be.

[DeSwiss]

61. Yes Imperialist Dogs!!!

Our glorious Iranian Navy as we speak, is sailing to the land of freedom and justice!!! HA! And we shall shoot you with our torpedoes and keel you with our canons and defeat you with our jibes and things! Be afraid heathens!!! Be very, very afraid!!! We are on our way!!!


*Batteries not included, comes with optional Rear Admiral Kalid Ackbar.


- K&R

[KinMd]

62. Maybe they've got the ghost ship with the cannibal rats....

[FSogol]

71. Iranian Warships! How adorable.

[raven mad]

79. Ummmmmmm. Sarah hasn't seen any from Alaska, has she?

[EX500rider]

81. StrategyPage has some more on the story:

"Iran: Talk Big And Avoid Armed Confrontations

The state controlled media is breathlessly following the progress of what it describes as a “destroyer” and “helicopter carrier” traveling to the Atlantic Ocean. Iran describes these two ships as the “27th fleet” and that the two ships will stay out there for three months protecting Iranian merchant ships from pirates. In reality the “destroyer” is a 1,500 ton frigate and the “helicopter carrier” is a 33,000 ton oil tanker modified to have a helicopter landing pad and it sometimes carries three helicopters. The helicopter carrier has also been armed with a 76mm gun and two twin-23mm anti-aircraft guns. The main function of the helicopter carrier is to ensure that the frigate does not run out of fuel in the middle of the ocean. This frigate can travel 9,000 kilometers on internal fuel (at 28 kilometers an hour). In other words it has to refuel every two weeks if it keeps moving while at sea. The 27th fleet has moved south around the southern tip of Africa and towards Venezuela and Cuba where the fleet will recuperate and provide photo ops. The U.S. will be condemned and warned that the Iran Navy is close. This is all for domestic consumption, to reassure Iranians who believe, or want to believe that three decades of sanctions have not reduced their armed forces to impotence. While Iran has the largest armed forces (in terms of personnel) in the region its weapons and equipment are far less capable and for decades its military leaders have been chosen for their loyalty to the religious dictatorship that runs Iran rather than for skill in military matters.

Iran has been unable to buy foreign warships for most of the last 30 years and has never developed the capacity to build modern warships. But Iran has built a commercial ship building industry and that is being used to build obsolete warships (using decade’s old technology, or whatever can be stolen or smuggled in). This stuff is OK for coast guard duties but not for a serious confrontation with the neighbors. Neither the Arabs nor the Iranians have much of a naval tradition, but the Arabs have much better ships and warplanes and sailors nearly as good as the Iranians. Given all that the Iranians prefer to talk big and avoid armed confrontations."

http://strategypage.com/qnd/iran/articles/20140215.aspx

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

82. Iran? Or the Duchy of Grand Fenwick?

I hope there's no actual invasion. This could be devastating.

[sked14]

83. Iranian Navy rounding the Horn.

[raccoon]

84. If the Dick were still in power, this would be the US chance to invade Iran. nt

[geek tragedy]

86. it's their legal right to do so, I daresay the US government is not trembling nt

[sked14]

87. Not trembling,

just laughing.