Persian Gulf & Middle East Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
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ShahryarHedayat
Junior Member
USS Farragut ordered to respond to distress call from cargo ship intercepted by Iran
Iran Revolutionary Guard patrol boats fired shots at a commercial cargo ship and then intercepted the vessel, the M/V Maersk Tigris, which was Tuesday morning, according to a senior U.S. military official.
Despite reports in some media, there are no Americans on board, the official said.
Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said it was “inappropriate” for the Iranians to fire the warning shot. The U.S. Navy has dispatched one maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to observe and monitor the situation, Warren told reporters.
The ship, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, was transiting the Strait into the Persian Gulf on an internationally recognized maritime route when the the Iranian military contacted the vessel and directed the ship master to “divert further into Iranian waters,” according to Warren.
“The master was contacted and directed to proceed further into Iranian territorial waters. He declined and one of the IRGCN craft fired shots across the bridge of the Maersk Tigris,” said Warren, referring to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. “The master complied with the Iranian demand and proceeded into Iranian waters in the vicinity of Larak Island.”
After the shots were fired, the Tigris issued a distress call which was picked up by U.S. forces in the area and the USS Farragut was ordered to head towards the incident. The closest U.S. warship was 60 miles from the incident. The Pentagon thinks about 30 individuals are on board.
The U.S. Navy has also sent aircraft to monitor its status.
According to the shipping company, which is in contact with the U.S. military, the Iranian military has boarded the ship.
Even though the Strait of Hormuz is in Iranian territorial waters, “innocent passage” is applied — ships are authorized to pass through the body of water assuming they abide by all the rules of the sea — because it is an internationally recognized shipping lane.
Warren said it was “to be determined” what the USS Farragut will do when it reached the vicinity of the incident.
The M/V Maersk Tigris was seized at the request of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (IPMO), Iran’s semi-official FARS is reporting, citing informed sources. The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was seized after a relevant court order was issued according to the source, indicating that the IPMO had monetary differences with the ship owner.
It’s significant that the vessel is from the Marshall Islands because of the Compact of Free Association between the U.S. and the Islands makes the U.S. responsible for its defense.
“The government of the United States has full authority and responsibility for security and defense matters in or relating to the Republic of the Marshall Islands,” the treaty states.
A U.S. Navy official tells CNN that on April 24, the U.S. flagged cargo ship Maersk Kensington was intercepted by four Iranian naval patrol craft in the Strait of Hormuz. “The Iranians encircled the Kensington and followed the ship on its course for a period of time before withdrawing and breaking away,” the official said.
After that, the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet issued a notice to mariners about the incident. “We have been in communication with U.S. shipping industry representatives with regards to how their vessels should respond to threatening encounters with foreign naval forces, and how to contact us,” the official said. In the April 24 incident, no shots were fired. The official declined to say what advice is being given to U.S. cargo ships.
Iran Revolutionary Guard patrol boats fired shots at a commercial cargo ship and then intercepted the vessel, the M/V Maersk Tigris, which was Tuesday morning, according to a senior U.S. military official.
Despite reports in some media, there are no Americans on board, the official said.
Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said it was “inappropriate” for the Iranians to fire the warning shot. The U.S. Navy has dispatched one maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to observe and monitor the situation, Warren told reporters.
The ship, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, was transiting the Strait into the Persian Gulf on an internationally recognized maritime route when the the Iranian military contacted the vessel and directed the ship master to “divert further into Iranian waters,” according to Warren.
“The master was contacted and directed to proceed further into Iranian territorial waters. He declined and one of the IRGCN craft fired shots across the bridge of the Maersk Tigris,” said Warren, referring to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. “The master complied with the Iranian demand and proceeded into Iranian waters in the vicinity of Larak Island.”
After the shots were fired, the Tigris issued a distress call which was picked up by U.S. forces in the area and the USS Farragut was ordered to head towards the incident. The closest U.S. warship was 60 miles from the incident. The Pentagon thinks about 30 individuals are on board.
The U.S. Navy has also sent aircraft to monitor its status.
According to the shipping company, which is in contact with the U.S. military, the Iranian military has boarded the ship.
Even though the Strait of Hormuz is in Iranian territorial waters, “innocent passage” is applied — ships are authorized to pass through the body of water assuming they abide by all the rules of the sea — because it is an internationally recognized shipping lane.
Warren said it was “to be determined” what the USS Farragut will do when it reached the vicinity of the incident.
The M/V Maersk Tigris was seized at the request of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (IPMO), Iran’s semi-official FARS is reporting, citing informed sources. The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was seized after a relevant court order was issued according to the source, indicating that the IPMO had monetary differences with the ship owner.
It’s significant that the vessel is from the Marshall Islands because of the Compact of Free Association between the U.S. and the Islands makes the U.S. responsible for its defense.
“The government of the United States has full authority and responsibility for security and defense matters in or relating to the Republic of the Marshall Islands,” the treaty states.
A U.S. Navy official tells CNN that on April 24, the U.S. flagged cargo ship Maersk Kensington was intercepted by four Iranian naval patrol craft in the Strait of Hormuz. “The Iranians encircled the Kensington and followed the ship on its course for a period of time before withdrawing and breaking away,” the official said.
After that, the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet issued a notice to mariners about the incident. “We have been in communication with U.S. shipping industry representatives with regards to how their vessels should respond to threatening encounters with foreign naval forces, and how to contact us,” the official said. In the April 24 incident, no shots were fired. The official declined to say what advice is being given to U.S. cargo ships.
Yes.
There are numerous private concerns that operate cargo vessels wholly apart from the U S Navy.
In this case the vessel, I believe is from the Marshall Islands.
After World War II, the Marshall Islands became a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands governed by the US. Self-government was achieved in 1979, and full sovereignty in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States, which still is in place.
IMHO, this is a direct challenge to the United States. The Iranians know exactly what they are doing and they are tweaking the US nose to see if Obama will do anything about it.,
The Guardian said:
This is a serious incident. The Pentagon responded throughout the day and said:
Pentagon Official said:
This vessel is from the Marshall Islands.
After World War II, the Marshall Islands became a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands governed by the US. Self-government was achieved in 1979, and full sovereignty in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States, which still is in place.
IMHO, this is a direct challenge to the United States, and to Obama.
Iran wasted no time following Obama's declarations last week that US naval ships in the Gulf region would ensure “freedom of navigation.”
The Iranians know exactly what they are doing and they are tweaking Obama's nose to see if he will do anything about it.
Miragedriver
Brigadier
Retired/scrapped Iraqi Army vehicles...
Back to bottling my Grenache
Back to bottling my Grenache
It is a leap to say that the US is the target of this move given the following:
- Nothing about the ship or crew directly ties it to the US.
- The Marshall Islands flag is considered a shady "flag of convenience".
- The ship was headed from Saudi Arabia to the UAE, both currently involved in conflicts against Iranian- friendly factions across the region. The Saudis just bombed Sanaa's airport to prevent Iranian planes with aid from landing so this is very likely to be retaliation for that.
This incident could have an impact on US standing depending on how the US gets involved or not, but by no means is the US the target nor must the US get involved.
It is a fine line but a big difference between the US serving its own interests and serving as rent-a-navy for someone else.
- Nothing about the ship or crew directly ties it to the US.
- The Marshall Islands flag is considered a shady "flag of convenience".
- The ship was headed from Saudi Arabia to the UAE, both currently involved in conflicts against Iranian- friendly factions across the region. The Saudis just bombed Sanaa's airport to prevent Iranian planes with aid from landing so this is very likely to be retaliation for that.
This incident could have an impact on US standing depending on how the US gets involved or not, but by no means is the US the target nor must the US get involved.
It is a fine line but a big difference between the US serving its own interests and serving as rent-a-navy for someone else.
Sorry, Pan, the vessel is a Marshall Island flagged vessel. The US has a treaty with the Marshall Islands to defend its interests.
The President of the United States, LAST WEEK, pledged to defend shipping in the Persian Gulf.
That's not politics, that's not platitudes, those are simply the facts.
Now, the Iranians know all of this, and they also know that this president dearly wants a deal with them for his legacy. They know he has been weak diplomatically. They carefully picked the time and the place for this to test those things and as a clear challenge to the will and the determination of this US President to make good on its pledge from last week, and to abide by its treaty obligations.
That's not a "rent-a-Navy," in the least, Pan, those are, as I said, the hard cold facts.
We shall see what happens. How the US reacts. What the Iranians end up doing.
These are just the beginning steps in this. It was no accident that when the Iranians fired their warning shots and then boarded the vessel, that the nearest US destroyer was sixty miles away.
They probably coordinated it with their own radars (airborne and on land perhaps) letting their naval forces know when the furthest mark of departure occurred, giving them the most time to conduct their operation. And by all accounts, they planned well.
If it is not resolved, we may see US Navy vessels escorting cargo and tankers again like they did in the 1980s. Although I wonder if someone like Obama has the will and determination to go that far. Apparently Iran is willing to find out.
The President of the United States, LAST WEEK, pledged to defend shipping in the Persian Gulf.
That's not politics, that's not platitudes, those are simply the facts.
Now, the Iranians know all of this, and they also know that this president dearly wants a deal with them for his legacy. They know he has been weak diplomatically. They carefully picked the time and the place for this to test those things and as a clear challenge to the will and the determination of this US President to make good on its pledge from last week, and to abide by its treaty obligations.
That's not a "rent-a-Navy," in the least, Pan, those are, as I said, the hard cold facts.
We shall see what happens. How the US reacts. What the Iranians end up doing.
These are just the beginning steps in this. It was no accident that when the Iranians fired their warning shots and then boarded the vessel, that the nearest US destroyer was sixty miles away.
They probably coordinated it with their own radars (airborne and on land perhaps) letting their naval forces know when the furthest mark of departure occurred, giving them the most time to conduct their operation. And by all accounts, they planned well.
If it is not resolved, we may see US Navy vessels escorting cargo and tankers again like they did in the 1980s. Although I wonder if someone like Obama has the will and determination to go that far. Apparently Iran is willing to find out.
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ShahryarHedayat
Junior Member
Guys , I've found the source of these problems:
The Saudi Interception happened before the Maersk Tigris Case
Iran Vows Response to Saudi Interception of Aid Plane in Yemen
An Iranian deputy foreign minister said that Tehran will respond against Riyadh after Saudi fighter jets blocked Iranian planes, including a consignment of humanitarian aid, from landing in Yemen.
"Saudi Arabia's behavior in besieging Yemen and preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid will not remain unanswered," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Sunday.
A few days earlier, Saudi warplanes refused an Iranian plane containing humanitarian goods landing in Yemen and forced it to return to Tehran.
"We are considering all options for helping the Yemeni people, the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance and transfer of the injured (Yemenis)," Amir Abdollahian added.
The Saudi Interception happened before the Maersk Tigris Case
Iran Vows Response to Saudi Interception of Aid Plane in Yemen
An Iranian deputy foreign minister said that Tehran will respond against Riyadh after Saudi fighter jets blocked Iranian planes, including a consignment of humanitarian aid, from landing in Yemen.
"Saudi Arabia's behavior in besieging Yemen and preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid will not remain unanswered," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Sunday.
A few days earlier, Saudi warplanes refused an Iranian plane containing humanitarian goods landing in Yemen and forced it to return to Tehran.
"We are considering all options for helping the Yemeni people, the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance and transfer of the injured (Yemenis)," Amir Abdollahian added.
ShahryarHedayat
Junior Member
Saudi airstrikes against Sana'a airport force Iran's aid plane to return
An Iranian cargo plane carrying medical aid and foodstuff for crisis-hit people in Yemen has been forced to return as Riyadh pushes ahead with its deadly airstrikes against the Arab state, Press TV reports.
Press TV has learned that the Iranian aircraft, which had earlier received permits from Omani and Yemeni aviation officials to cross into Yemen’s airspace, could not land at the international airport in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, as Saudi warplanes were violently striking the runway of the civil airport.
The development comes days after Saudi fighter jets intercepted an Iranian airplane, carrying humanitarian aid to Yemen, and prevented it from entering the Yemeni airspace on April 22.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said the Saudi move came after the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) had obtained the necessary permission to fly in the Oman-Yemen route and send a plane in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in order to fly Yemeni patients back to Iran and distribute medical aid to the injured in the war-wracked country.
An Iranian cargo plane carrying medical aid and foodstuff for crisis-hit people in Yemen has been forced to return as Riyadh pushes ahead with its deadly airstrikes against the Arab state, Press TV reports.
Press TV has learned that the Iranian aircraft, which had earlier received permits from Omani and Yemeni aviation officials to cross into Yemen’s airspace, could not land at the international airport in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, as Saudi warplanes were violently striking the runway of the civil airport.
The development comes days after Saudi fighter jets intercepted an Iranian airplane, carrying humanitarian aid to Yemen, and prevented it from entering the Yemeni airspace on April 22.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said the Saudi move came after the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) had obtained the necessary permission to fly in the Oman-Yemen route and send a plane in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in order to fly Yemeni patients back to Iran and distribute medical aid to the injured in the war-wracked country.
ShahryarHedayat
Junior Member
Iran summons Saudi diplomat over plane interception in Yemen
ISNA said two Iranian cargo planes carrying food and medicine to Yemen had been forced by Saudi jets to leave Yemeni airspace, one on Thursday and another on Friday.
"Unfortunately, Saudi fighter jets have blocked two Iranian planes, which were carrying wounded Yemenis who had been treated in Iran and also carrying humanitarian and medical aid, from landing in Yemen and forced them to return home," ISNA quoted an unnamed Iranian official as telling the Saudi diplomat.
Tasnim news agency said the foreign ministry also had complained to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) over Riyadh's blocking of the humanitarian aid sent to Yemen.
"The Iranian planes had the necessary permissions for flying the Oman-Yemen air route and had fully coordinated the plan with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent societies," it quoted deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian as saying.
The International Red Cross described the humanitarian situation as "catastrophic."
*******
Tehran welcomed Sunni-led Saudi Arabia's announcement on Tuesday that it was ending almost a month of air strikes against the Shi'ite Muslim Houthi rebels allied to Tehran, saying the conflict in Yemen would fuel sectarian disputes in the Middle East.
Riyadh resumed air strikes and ground fighting a few hours later.
^^^^^^
They said the air strike is over and after a few hours they resumed it ?
ISNA said two Iranian cargo planes carrying food and medicine to Yemen had been forced by Saudi jets to leave Yemeni airspace, one on Thursday and another on Friday.
"Unfortunately, Saudi fighter jets have blocked two Iranian planes, which were carrying wounded Yemenis who had been treated in Iran and also carrying humanitarian and medical aid, from landing in Yemen and forced them to return home," ISNA quoted an unnamed Iranian official as telling the Saudi diplomat.
Tasnim news agency said the foreign ministry also had complained to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) over Riyadh's blocking of the humanitarian aid sent to Yemen.
"The Iranian planes had the necessary permissions for flying the Oman-Yemen air route and had fully coordinated the plan with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent societies," it quoted deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian as saying.
The International Red Cross described the humanitarian situation as "catastrophic."
*******
Tehran welcomed Sunni-led Saudi Arabia's announcement on Tuesday that it was ending almost a month of air strikes against the Shi'ite Muslim Houthi rebels allied to Tehran, saying the conflict in Yemen would fuel sectarian disputes in the Middle East.
Riyadh resumed air strikes and ground fighting a few hours later.
^^^^^^
They said the air strike is over and after a few hours they resumed it ?