U.S. Adds Forces in Persian Gulf, a Signal to Iran

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The United States has quietly moved significant military reinforcements into the Persian ( Arabian) Gulf to deter the Iranian military from any possible attempt to shut the Strait of Hormuz and to increase the number of fighter jets capable of striking deep into Iran if the standoff over its nuclear program escalates.

The deployments are part of a long-planned effort to bolster the American military presence in the gulf region, in part to reassure Israel that in dealing with Iran, as one senior administration official put it last week, “When the president says there are other options on the table beyond negotiations, he means it.”

But at a moment that the United States and its allies are beginning to enforce a much broader embargo on Iran’s oil exports, meant to force the country to take seriously the negotiations over sharply limiting its nuclear program, the buildup carries significant risks, including that Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps could decide to lash out against the increased presence.

The most visible elements of this buildup are Navy ships designed to vastly enhance the ability to patrol the Strait of Hormuz — and to reopen the narrow waterway should Iran attempt to mine it to prevent Saudi Arabia and other oil exporters from sending their tankers through the vital passage.

The Navy has doubled the number of minesweepers assigned to the region, to eight vessels, in what military officers describe as a purely defensive move.

“The message to Iran is, ‘Don’t even think about it,’ ” one senior Defense Department official said. “Don’t even think about closing the strait. We’ll clear the mines. Don’t even think about sending your fast boats out to harass our vessels or commercial shipping. We’ll put them on the bottom of the gulf.” Like others interviewed, the official spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the delicacy of the diplomatic and military situation.

Since late spring, stealthy F-22 and older F-15C warplanes have moved into two separate bases in the Persian Gulf to bolster the combat jets already in the region and the carrier strike groups that are on constant tours of the area. Those additional attack aircraft give the United States military greater capability against coastal missile batteries that could threaten shipping, as well as the reach to strike other targets deeper inside Iran.

And the Navy, after a crash development program, has moved a converted amphibious transport and docking ship, the Ponce, into the Persian Gulf to serve as the Pentagon’s first floating staging base for military operations or humanitarian assistance.

The initial assignment for the Ponce, Pentagon officials say, is to serve as a logistics and operations hub for mine-clearing. But with a medical suite and helicopter deck, and bunks for combat troops, the Ponce eventually could be used as a base for Special Operations forces to conduct a range of missions, including reconnaissance and counterterrorism, all from international waters.

For President Obama, the combination of negotiations, new sanctions aimed at Iran’s oil revenues and increased military pressure is the latest — and perhaps the most vital — test of what the White House calls a “two track” policy against Iran. In the midst of a presidential election campaign in which his opponent, Mitt Romney, has accused him of being “weak” in dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue, Mr. Obama seeks to project toughness without tipping into a crisis in the region.

At the same time he must signal support for Israel, but not so much support that the Israelis see the buildup as an opportunity to strike the Iranian nuclear facilities, which Mr. Obama’s team believes could set off a war without significantly setting back the Iranian program.

A key motivation for “Olympic Games,” the covert effort to undermine Iran’s enrichment capability with cyberattacks, has been to demonstrate to the Israelis that there are more effective ways to slow the program than to strike from the air.

But this delicate signaling to both Iran and Israel is a complex dance. Senator John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who is chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said that the administration must strike a fine balance between positioning enough forces to deter Iran, but not inadvertently indicate to Iran or Israel that an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites is imminent or inevitable

“There are a lot of expectations to manage,” Mr. Kerry said in an interview. “People need to know you’re serious, but you must also leave room for peaceful resolution. It’s very important not to take steps that send the wrong messages here.”

There is little evidence that the increased pressure is having the desired effect. Negotiations with Iran are at a stalemate, though a group of Iranian, American and European experts are expected to meet in Istanbul on Tuesday to review a recent American proposal and Iranian response. So far, though, Iran has strenuously resisted all efforts to force it to give up enrichment of uranium, starting with production of a type that is considered relatively close to bomb grade.

Responding to the tightening of Western sanctions, Iran on Monday announced that it would consider proposed legislation to disrupt traffic in the Strait of Hormuz as well as missile tests, in a drill clearly intended as a warning to Israel and the United States.

The Iranian legislation calls for Iran’s military to block any oil tanker en route to countries no longer buying Iranian crude because of the embargo. It was unclear whether the legislation would pass or precisely how Iran would enforce it.

Senior Pentagon and military officials acknowledge that Iran has the capability to close the strait, at least temporarily, and the additional mine-clearing forces can be viewed as both concrete and spoken evidence of Washington’s commitment to make sure any closing is as brief as possible.

The most significant Iranian threat to shipping came during its war of attrition with Iraq in the 1980s. Iran attacked tankers and other commercial traffic to disrupt Iraq’s oil revenues and threaten shipments from other Arab states viewed as supporting Baghdad. Iran also laid significant numbers of mines in an attempt to block transit, prompting mine-clearing operations and attacks on the Iranian Navy by American warships.

Defense Department officials stressed that the recent reshaping of American forces in the Persian Gulf region should not be viewed as solely about the potential nuclear threat from Iran.

“This is not only about Iranian nuclear ambitions, but about Iran’s regional hegemonic ambitions,” the senior Defense Department official said.

“This is a complex array of American military power that is tangible proof to all of our allies and partners and friends that even as the U.S. pivots toward Asia, we remain vigilant across the Middle East.”

While American ground troops have been withdrawn from Iraq, a force equivalent to an extra Army combat brigade has remained in Kuwait, officials said. It could have many roles to contain regional instability, but Iran is a primary concern.

While it always is difficult to read Iran’s intentions, senior American Navy officers have noted that Iranian ships in the Persian Gulf have refrained recently from provocative behavior.

“Things have been, relatively speaking, quiet,” said Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, the chief of naval operations, assessing actions by Iranian Navy vessels over “the last couple of months.”

But that was without the pressure of the new sanctions; already Iran is exporting far less oil every day than a year ago: about 1.5 million barrels a day versus 2.5 million before the gradual imposition of earlier sanctions.

While Iranian vessels have avoided any confrontations with allied warships in recent weeks, Iran expects to equip its ships in the Strait of Hormuz soon with shorter-range missiles, a Revolutionary Guards commander said on Friday, according to the semiofficial Mehr news agency.

With an eye on the threat of a belligerent Iran, the administration is also seeking to expand military ties with the six nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The United States and 19 other countries will hold a major mine countermeasure exercise in the Persian Gulf in September, said a senior military officer who noted that countries in the region were taking more steps in their own defense, including buying American-made air defense systems and other weaponry.

NY Times

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18 responses to “U.S. Adds Forces in Persian Gulf, a Signal to Iran”

  1. dateam Avatar

    is this about iran or pleasing israel??? whose in charge here??

    1. Moe2000 Avatar
      Moe2000

      Israel runs America via AIPAC Jewish Money….

      1. 73Corty77 Avatar
        73Corty77

        Moe Moe Moe, do I need to keep telling you. No one like hearing the truth. Please stop it. You will get people to start seeing what is really having out there. Do you really want that champ

        1. IYAMMASTUPID Avatar
          IYAMMASTUPID

          THE RED SHIELDS (KAZZARS) WILL PULL THE TRIGGER AS IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR, THE SECOND, THE KOREAN, THE VIETNAM, THE BALKANS, THE PERSIAN GULF I, PERSIAN GULF II. THERE ARE TEK OUT THERE MUCH MORE TERRIFYING THAN NUKES. THE FIRST CUSTOMER FOR THE F35, A USELESS PIECE OF CRAP, WAS THE IAF, WHO GOT THEM COURTESY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF MEYER LANSKY.PEREZ KILLS RABIN AND GETS A PIECE PRIZE. I REMEMBER IN 1900 THERE WAS A STATE CALLED PALESTINE AND NO ISRAEL. THOSE THAT CONTROL WILL SOON FAIL DUE TO THEIR HOLES IN THEIR HEARTS. REMEMBER NATTY REDSHIELD WORDS ABOUT THE CURRENCY. WHEN THE AMERICANS START TO EAT WOOD SHAVINGS WITH FLOUR, AND OR CATS OR DOGS, MAYBE THEY WILL REALIZE THAT THEIR CAMPAIGNS OF CONQUESTS WILL SOON FAIL. MR KERRY WOULD BE A BUM IF IT WAS NOT THE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC ACCIDENT THAT KILLED MR HEINZ. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN, JUST CALL LAURANCE ROCKENFELDER OR DAVID ROCKENFELDER (IF HE IS STILL COHERENT). S CLASS FREQUENCY, M CLASS FREQUENCY MUCH MORE PROMINENT IN INTENSITY. THE DUMBS ARE DOWN AND THE HIGHLEVEL NUKE FUSES ARE RENDERED INERT. WHY OVER A BUNCH OR ROCKS AND SAND. ONE SHOULD READ THE MATRIX, ON HOW THE MILITARY INVADES EVERYONE’S LIVES. THE CURRENCY IS CRASHING AND ANY ATTACK BY AN US FORCE WILL CAUSE THE MONEYMAN TO RECONSIDER HIS INVESTMENTS. YANKZ, THE FREE RIDE IS OVER. LOOK AT YOUR SKIES AND DOWNLOAD THE DEATH OF MONEY. PAYING PEOPLE FOR NOTHING IS A WASTE, COPS AND MILITARY CONTRIBUTE NOTHING TO THE GDP. WHEN THE SOLDIERS COME BACK, THEY WILL BECOME AS INFECTED AS THE SOLDIERS IN 1918, DYING BY THE MILLIONS.  THIS IS NOT OUR PLANET AND SHE IS GETTING PISSED BY ALL THE FRACKING. THE PRICE OF OIL WILL GO UP, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A SURPLUS. CARS RUN ON WATER, OLD ENGINE TECHNOLOGY CAN RAISE TO 400 MPG. DUHHHH.     SUICIDE BOMBERS PAY NO TAXES, DO NOT NEED TO EAT. ONE MAN’S FREE DUM FIGHTER IS ANOTHER MAN’S TERRORIST. ONE SHOULD LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A KC757 MILITARY TANKER AND A CIVILIAN JET BEFORE MAKING ANY COMMENT. IF YOU HAVE THE COURAGE, VIEW 911- IN PLANE SITE, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WATCHING TRASH LIKE THE KINGDOM, A MOVIE WHICH KILLED MRS AFFLICK”S CAREER. LOOK AT THE SKIES ABOVE AND PROTECT YOUSELF. TOO BIG TO FAIL. MARGIN CALL. ROUND 2 COMING UP. AN INTERESTING MOVIE IS IRON SKY, IN WHICH A SARIN PALIN CLONE NEEDS A WAR TROPHY TO GET REELECTED. ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS, BUT CONSIDER THAT THEY DID HAVE THE FLYING TURTLES WHICH HIT MACH 8 IN 1944, THE LARGER ONES DID GO TO THE MOON, EASY WHEN THE SAUCER COULD SUSTAIN MACH 30 FOR OVER 800 HOURS. OVER 175,000,000 IN THE REGION AND NOTHING CAN CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDES. THE HEAD NAZI WAS NOT ADOLPH HITLER, WHO WAS A HERO IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR. THE HED NAZI WAS JOHN DAVISON ROCKEFELDER, A MAN WITH A TWISTED CHILDHOOD. AN EMPTY TABLA RAZA.

        2. IYAMMASTUPID Avatar
          IYAMMASTUPID

          THE RED SHIELDS (KAZZARS) WILL PULL THE TRIGGER AS IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR, THE SECOND, THE KOREAN, THE VIETNAM, THE BALKANS, THE PERSIAN GULF I, PERSIAN GULF II. THERE ARE TEK OUT THERE MUCH MORE TERRIFYING THAN NUKES. THE FIRST CUSTOMER FOR THE F35, A USELESS PIECE OF CRAP, WAS THE IAF, WHO GOT THEM COURTESY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF MEYER LANSKY.PEREZ KILLS RABIN AND GETS A PIECE PRIZE. I REMEMBER IN 1900 THERE WAS A STATE CALLED PALESTINE AND NO ISRAEL. THOSE THAT CONTROL WILL SOON FAIL DUE TO THEIR HOLES IN THEIR HEARTS. REMEMBER NATTY REDSHIELD WORDS ABOUT THE CURRENCY. WHEN THE AMERICANS START TO EAT WOOD SHAVINGS WITH FLOUR, AND OR CATS OR DOGS, MAYBE THEY WILL REALIZE THAT THEIR CAMPAIGNS OF CONQUESTS WILL SOON FAIL. MR KERRY WOULD BE A BUM IF IT WAS NOT THE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC ACCIDENT THAT KILLED MR HEINZ. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN, JUST CALL LAURANCE ROCKENFELDER OR DAVID ROCKENFELDER (IF HE IS STILL COHERENT). S CLASS FREQUENCY, M CLASS FREQUENCY MUCH MORE PROMINENT IN INTENSITY. THE DUMBS ARE DOWN AND THE HIGHLEVEL NUKE FUSES ARE RENDERED INERT. WHY OVER A BUNCH OR ROCKS AND SAND. ONE SHOULD READ THE MATRIX, ON HOW THE MILITARY INVADES EVERYONE’S LIVES. THE CURRENCY IS CRASHING AND ANY ATTACK BY AN US FORCE WILL CAUSE THE MONEYMAN TO RECONSIDER HIS INVESTMENTS. YANKZ, THE FREE RIDE IS OVER. LOOK AT YOUR SKIES AND DOWNLOAD THE DEATH OF MONEY. PAYING PEOPLE FOR NOTHING IS A WASTE, COPS AND MILITARY CONTRIBUTE NOTHING TO THE GDP. WHEN THE SOLDIERS COME BACK, THEY WILL BECOME AS INFECTED AS THE SOLDIERS IN 1918, DYING BY THE MILLIONS.  THIS IS NOT OUR PLANET AND SHE IS GETTING PISSED BY ALL THE FRACKING. THE PRICE OF OIL WILL GO UP, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A SURPLUS. CARS RUN ON WATER, OLD ENGINE TECHNOLOGY CAN RAISE TO 400 MPG. DUHHHH.     SUICIDE BOMBERS PAY NO TAXES, DO NOT NEED TO EAT. ONE MAN’S FREE DUM FIGHTER IS ANOTHER MAN’S TERRORIST. ONE SHOULD LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A KC757 MILITARY TANKER AND A CIVILIAN JET BEFORE MAKING ANY COMMENT. IF YOU HAVE THE COURAGE, VIEW 911- IN PLANE SITE, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WATCHING TRASH LIKE THE KINGDOM, A MOVIE WHICH KILLED MRS AFFLICK”S CAREER. LOOK AT THE SKIES ABOVE AND PROTECT YOUSELF. TOO BIG TO FAIL. MARGIN CALL. ROUND 2 COMING UP. AN INTERESTING MOVIE IS IRON SKY, IN WHICH A SARIN PALIN CLONE NEEDS A WAR TROPHY TO GET REELECTED. ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS, BUT CONSIDER THAT THEY DID HAVE THE FLYING TURTLES WHICH HIT MACH 8 IN 1944, THE LARGER ONES DID GO TO THE MOON, EASY WHEN THE SAUCER COULD SUSTAIN MACH 30 FOR OVER 800 HOURS. OVER 175,000,000 IN THE REGION AND NOTHING CAN CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDES. THE HEAD NAZI WAS NOT ADOLPH HITLER, WHO WAS A HERO IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR. THE HED NAZI WAS JOHN DAVISON ROCKEFELDER, A MAN WITH A TWISTED CHILDHOOD. AN EMPTY TABLA RAZA.

    2. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      I think it’s about keeping things peaceful, and good for business. Maybe also change the general thinking that blowing up everyone you hate is the only answer to ‘life’. (long-term project)

      1. dateam Avatar

        its ironic though that the people blowing themselves up are from the so called moderate islamic countries allied with the usa..saudia arabia,pakistan,afghanistan,yemen

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          In which case, one wonders just how tortured a mind must be to consider that eliminating an ‘enemy’ by blowing itself up is the best thing to it can do. Perhaps some have been through the Assad/Pal-prison system … or been witness to loved ones slaughtered in their homes.
          Some here think it’s only the horrible economic deprivation that ‘business’ gives them, I guess.

        2. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          In which case, one wonders just how tortured a mind must be to consider that eliminating an ‘enemy’ by blowing itself up is the best thing to it can do. Perhaps some have been through the Assad/Pal-prison system … or been witness to loved ones slaughtered in their homes.
          Some here think it’s only the horrible economic deprivation that ‘business’ gives them, I guess.

  2. dateam Avatar

    is this about iran or pleasing israel??? whose in charge here??

    1. Moe2000 Avatar
      Moe2000

      Israel runs America via AIPAC Jewish Money….

      1. 73Corty77 Avatar
        73Corty77

        Moe Moe Moe, do I need to keep telling you. No one like hearing the truth. Please stop it. You will get people to start seeing what is really having out there. Do you really want that champ

        1. IYAMMASTUPID Avatar
          IYAMMASTUPID

          THE RED SHIELDS (KAZZARS) WILL PULL THE TRIGGER AS IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR, THE SECOND, THE KOREAN, THE VIETNAM, THE BALKANS, THE PERSIAN GULF I, PERSIAN GULF II. THERE ARE TEK OUT THERE MUCH MORE TERRIFYING THAN NUKES. THE FIRST CUSTOMER FOR THE F35, A USELESS PIECE OF CRAP, WAS THE IAF, WHO GOT THEM COURTESY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF MEYER LANSKY.PEREZ KILLS RABIN AND GETS A PIECE PRIZE. I REMEMBER IN 1900 THERE WAS A STATE CALLED PALESTINE AND NO ISRAEL. THOSE THAT CONTROL WILL SOON FAIL DUE TO THEIR HOLES IN THEIR HEARTS. REMEMBER NATTY REDSHIELD WORDS ABOUT THE CURRENCY. WHEN THE AMERICANS START TO EAT WOOD SHAVINGS WITH FLOUR, AND OR CATS OR DOGS, MAYBE THEY WILL REALIZE THAT THEIR CAMPAIGNS OF CONQUESTS WILL SOON FAIL. MR KERRY WOULD BE A BUM IF IT WAS NOT THE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC ACCIDENT THAT KILLED MR HEINZ. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN, JUST CALL LAURANCE ROCKENFELDER OR DAVID ROCKENFELDER (IF HE IS STILL COHERENT). S CLASS FREQUENCY, M CLASS FREQUENCY MUCH MORE PROMINENT IN INTENSITY. THE DUMBS ARE DOWN AND THE HIGHLEVEL NUKE FUSES ARE RENDERED INERT. WHY OVER A BUNCH OR ROCKS AND SAND. ONE SHOULD READ THE MATRIX, ON HOW THE MILITARY INVADES EVERYONE’S LIVES. THE CURRENCY IS CRASHING AND ANY ATTACK BY AN US FORCE WILL CAUSE THE MONEYMAN TO RECONSIDER HIS INVESTMENTS. YANKZ, THE FREE RIDE IS OVER. LOOK AT YOUR SKIES AND DOWNLOAD THE DEATH OF MONEY. PAYING PEOPLE FOR NOTHING IS A WASTE, COPS AND MILITARY CONTRIBUTE NOTHING TO THE GDP. WHEN THE SOLDIERS COME BACK, THEY WILL BECOME AS INFECTED AS THE SOLDIERS IN 1918, DYING BY THE MILLIONS.  THIS IS NOT OUR PLANET AND SHE IS GETTING PISSED BY ALL THE FRACKING. THE PRICE OF OIL WILL GO UP, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A SURPLUS. CARS RUN ON WATER, OLD ENGINE TECHNOLOGY CAN RAISE TO 400 MPG. DUHHHH.    

    2. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      I think it’s about keeping things peaceful, and good for business. Maybe also change the general thinking that blowing up everyone you hate is the only answer to ‘life’. (long-term project)

      1. dateam Avatar

        its ironic though that the people blowing themselves up are from the so called moderate islamic countries allied with the usa..saudia arabia,pakistan,afghanistan,yemen

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          In which case, one wonders just how tortured a mind must be to consider that eliminating an ‘enemy’ by blowing itself up is the best thing to it can do.

  3. Leborigine Avatar
    Leborigine

    American ships ain’t gonna do it, if they really want to scare the iranians, all they need is 300 Spartans. They will kick their asses like they did approximately 3000 years ago!

  4. Leborigine Avatar
    Leborigine

    American ships ain’t gonna do it, if they really want to scare the iranians, all they need is 300 Spartans. They will kick their asses like they did approximately 3000 years ago!

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