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U.S. Navy says limpet mine in Japanese tanker attack bears Iran hallmarks

76 Comments
By JON GAMBRELL

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76 Comments

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Iranians may be not very pleasant people, but they are not idiots.

Say what? Have you ever actually talked to an Iranian?

I meant Iranian leaders, not ordinary Iranians.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Did everyone notice the "Made and planted by Iran" inscribed on the mine.

Iraq/WMD again. US trying to maintain its world domination, again.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Iranians may be not very pleasant people, but they are not idiots.

Say what? Have you ever actually talked to an Iranian?

They are literally one of the most consistently nice groups of people I have ever met. I've never actually met an Iranian that I didn't like, though I'm sure some must exist. They are a fun, friendly, vibrant people with an awesome culture, and awesome food. And believe it or not, many of them think their government is nuts. They can be more vehement about the Iranian government than the Americans on this board.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Iranians may be not very pleasant people, but they are not idiots.

As opposed to the pleasant people who start wars around the globe, steal others oil, who shoot civilians and hide it, and torture innocents in internment camps. Iranians just choose to stand up to America and Israel - that doesn't make them unpleasant.

I'd rather suppose that somebody very interested to cut the flow of Japanese money to Iran did this trick.

Bingo. You make up for the line above by getting to the spot. Both Mossad and the US have the capability to carry out these attacks undetected.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I won’t believe it until they wheel out “Good Ol’Uncle Tom, Colin Powell” with the evidence.

Oil is currently $60 a barrel. The Saudis need $80+ To keep their heads above water. They would love a war.

Trumps re-election numbers are not looking too rosy......

War is always good for elections.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

near the Zubair and Rumeila oil fields operated by the Iraqi Drilling company, near a compound where Exxon Mobil and other companies house their workers

This is all you need to read regarding this conflict. It gives a concise but truthful history of the region. Countless deaths of babies, children, women, men, and soldiers caused by wars and toppling regimes all so that Texan-based oil business can position itself in Middle East oilfields. Anyone American or supporting the current American line should hang their heads in shame.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Why not just to blow this mine?

Not for lack of trying. It's an unexploded mine, ie they 'failed' to detonate it.

The Iranians that attached the mines returned to remove an unexploded mine - totally illogical, why would they do that, why would they risk returning?

Ask them, they were caught in the act!

Whenever you see a situation on TV where an unexploded WW2 bomb has been discovered the surrounding neighbourhood is cordoned off and robots are used to detonate it.

Whenever you see mine removal in Cambodia or in Africa either robots or professionals wearing special bomb-resistant gear are used to remove or disarm the mines.

But the brave Iranians went straight up to the tanker without a shred of protective clothing and removed the limpet mine because, well, they failed to detonate it. Do you have any more fairly tales?

The burden of proof is on the US to provide credible evidence since any strike on Iran has the potential to expand and kill and injure millions. Exhibit 1 is the carnage and destruction seen in other countries the US and its allies have meddled in. Mike Pompeo and John Bolt.on have both admitted in interviews that they deliberately lie. Pompeo and his audience even laughed about it. At what point does the blind, gung-ho support for their warmongering end?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

it's evidence that leads directly back to Iran or Russia

Wow, that was unexpected. Why Russia? You say Iranians attached an Iranian-made mine. Why Russia, what's the connection? Even the U.S. military did not bring this.

Explosive materials can be traced directly back to the factory that produces it

So, every explosive made at U.S. factories and used wherever on the planet can be blamed on the U.S.? Or may be we can be realists and assume that the U.S., Israel and Saudi Arabia have a little stockpile of Iranian-made explosives and weapons just for a little false flag operation?  

Ask them, they were caught in the act!

And the crews of both tankers looked indifferently as Iranians planted their mines...

This is an entirely different topic

Very connected topic. Iranians are very anxious to keep Japan as a stable and reliable buyer of their oil. And the best way to achieve this is to blow a Japanese-owned tanker?? Seriously?? Iranians may be not very pleasant people, but they are not idiots. I'd rather suppose that somebody very interested to cut the flow of Japanese money to Iran did this trick.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Apparently the Iranian soldiers are so incompetent that they wear phosphorescent life jackets on secret missions. That's what newly released photos from the Pentagon show. Looks to me they were inspecting the damage to the tanker or helping the crew.

That explains why they first gave us grainy black and white images...

Meanwhile, its a Japanese tanker, what is Japan going to do about if?

This was a clear slap on the Prime Minister.

Indeed, it was a clear slap in the face from the US. The Japanese government is not happy, that's why they hinted it could have been the US or Israel.

Why is the US military is investigating an attack on two foreign-owned vessels carrying non-US goods between non-US destinations?

Because they are the best qualified ... to find the evidence they planted and to provide the outcome they want.

The world fell for Iraq/WMD. Are we going to be fooled again?

As the saying goes: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

2 ( +6 / -4 )

It seems to me that the crew of the tanker had a very good vantage point to see what the Iranian patrol boat crew removed, seeing as they were right there, on the boat, standing next to them.

Hint, the American provided pictures and videos show this, the rescued tanker crew are the ones wearing the high visibility life jackets (standard issue for civilian ships, with the wearing of them being part of the standard practice when abandoning ships in distress at sea) while the Iranian patrol boat crew aren't wearing life jackets (also standard practice for military personnel who are normally on such boats, unless they are abandoning it, at which point they don the not high visibility life jackets the military prefers due to the likelihood that they will be used in situations where someone is shooting at the crew)

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The Iranians that attached the mines returned to remove an unexploded mine - totally illogical, why would they do that, why would they risk returning?

Ask them, they were caught in the act!

The world fell for Iraq/WMD. Are we going to be fooled again?

No you fell for it, I and many others believe it's about Saddam and his move away from the petro-dollar.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The world fell for Iraq/WMD. Are we going to be fooled again?

The Japanese sailors who were there say they saw flying object and the Naval commander, thousands of miles away say there were not flying object; who is the more reliable witness?

The Iranians that attached the mines returned to remove an unexploded mine - totally illogical, why would they do that, why would they risk returning?

Everyone, including the US, know this is no more that warmongering by the US, looking for an excuse to rally the troops, rally foreign allies to attack/invade Iran.

I, again, repeat, no nation needs US permission to have a defence system, no nation needs US approval to do anything. The US thinks it rules the globe but it is finding out that it doesn't, other nations are starting to bush back against US domination.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

What for risk rather friendly relations with Japan?

This is an entirely different topic. But consider these facts.

There is no friendly relations as far as the Ayatolla is concerned, he slapped Abe in the face. When encouraged to talk peace and negotiation, AK said he would never do it, that's language of defiance, not peace or friendship.

Diplomacy dictionary:

I will never speak to Trump = go and fornicate yourself, I will never do what you suggested.

Abe is the first Japanese PM to visit in 41 years, you would think Iran would be using less defiant language.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Why to risk with removing the mine?

The risk is leaving the mine on the tanker, it's evidence that leads directly back to Iran or Russia. Explosive materials can be traced directly back to the factory that produces it.

Why not just to blow this mine?

Not for lack of trying. It's an unexploded mine, ie they 'failed' to detonate it.

Why use easily identifiable boat and high-visibility gear on a mission that is supposed to be secret

Ask them! Just because they're careless, does not negate all the other facts.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

meanwhile Iran has just 'claimed' it shot down an RQ-4 Global Hawk drone, I am guessing if Iran hadn't first claimed it (before it was reported by the media), the conspiracy theorists here would say the US shot it down themselves as well.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

As opposed to US money that never "flowed straight into conflicts all over middle east" right?

Must be desperate to be exiting from first order principle just to argue a point. US money is not part of my argument is it?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I believe the intel agency on this over Iran or the media.

Except for the Mueller Report

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Let Japan help themselves and figure it out if they don't want to believe because in bed with Iran.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Pardon me, *they're right

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why carry out clandestine operation in their patrol boat and hiviz life jacket?

Why not just leave the unexploded mine on the tanker so there's more evidence?

Your questions are very rhetorical?

No, just question for people who can think logically. I can ask another way.

Why use easily identifiable boat and high-visibility gear on a mission that is supposed to be secret, instead of using SEAL-like teams the Iranians sure have?

Why to risk with removing the mine? There were several explosions, one more wouldn't change much, but the operation with removing mine would risk a lot, as the story with American video "evidence" demonstrate. Why not just to blow this mine?

What for risk rather friendly relations with Japan?
2 ( +5 / -3 )

The top echelon trying to take down the President and them finding suspicious evidence of the Iranians planting mines are two completely different things.

There it is. Deplorable me. So if it has anything to do with the president, the intelligence is wrong wrong wrong. Even if their right.

Yes, they have EVERY reason, the sanctions, the end to their disastrous deal with us, not to mention to them we are the Great Satan, also we killed a lot in Iraq and Syria, so yes, they have EVERY reason to do this.

So they mine a Japanese Tanker...

No, no Trump hater is giving the administration the benefit of a doubt, but they are giving it to Iran, try again.

Huh? Why? Because people want evidence? Nobody has denied that it could have been Iran. But you've jumped to conclusions a bit too fast.

Then liberals don’t need to worry, if they want to believe a terrorist group like Iran, go ahead, it’s a free world, but it won’t stop the President and the Pentagon to take military if the Iranians are that stupid and want to take this further. None of the rhetoric from CNN or Hollywood will change it

Lol, chill out buddy. hehe

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Let's just hope the cooler heads prevail.

A bit of a dilemma when 6 tankers have been attacked. Where to from here? Do nothing?

There is but one course of action, ie for Iran to come back to the negotiating table and cease uranium enrichment altogether.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I always thought that clandestine operations are supposed to be, ummm, clandestine, but Iranians doing their "nefarious stuff" in phosphorescent jackets?? And why to bother with removing the mine, why not to allow it to go off just as previous mines the Americans claimed the Iranians planted?

Why carry out clandestine operation in their patrol boat and hiviz life jacket?

Why not just leave the unexploded mine on the tanker so there's more evidence?

Your questions are very rhetorical?

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Then why did the other six nations sign the deal?

Self interest. They want to trade with Iran.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I always thought that clandestine operations are supposed to be, ummm, clandestine, but Iranians doing their "nefarious stuff" in phosphorescent jackets?? And why to bother with removing the mine, why not to allow it to go off just as previous mines the Americans claimed the Iranians planted? And why on earth Iran would attack a Japanese-owned tanker during the first in decades visit of the Japanese prime minister?

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Now you should know why Trump sent Mr.Abe to Tehran for meddling! 

A deception to fool the Iranians America is sincerely for peace ! Trump knows the Japanese Prime Minister wont argue or questioning the aftermath of their oil tanker under attack 'By Iran'!

This is a very malicious planning of war !

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You are convinced the minute Trump opens his mouth. Evidence or not.

I never said that. Sorry, don’t know what you are referring to, but I did say, I believe the intel agency on this over Iran or the media.

Wait, you were saying the intelligence was wrong earlier this year when they disagreed with Trump. So its subjective now?

The top echelon trying to take down the President and them finding suspicious evidence of the Iranians planting mines are two completely different things.

Yea, because only Iranians exist in the region...not

Yes, they have EVERY reason, the sanctions, the end to their disastrous deal with us, not to mention to them we are the Great Satan, also we killed a lot in Iraq and Syria, so yes, they have EVERY reason to do this.

Who is blaming the U.S. government? You need to chill out, nobody is blaming anyone here except you.

No, no Trump hater is giving the administration the benefit of a doubt, but they are giving it to Iran, try again.

Although now that you mention it, it wouldn't be so unbelievable. The U.S. military does lots of things unknown to the public. In fact, pretty much all of their operations are confidential to some level of degree.

Then liberals don’t need to worry, if they want to believe a terrorist group like Iran, go ahead, it’s a free world, but it won’t stop the President and the Pentagon to take military if the Iranians are that stupid and want to take this further. None of the rhetoric from CNN or Hollywood will change it

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I’m definitely convinced.

You are convinced the minute Trump opens his mouth. Evidence or not.

Maybe not for ordinary people that don’t have that kind of clearance, but for the intelligence community it does and that’s all that matters the info they know and have, whether you or I believe it is irrelevant.

Wait, you were saying the intelligence was wrong earlier this year when they disagreed with Trump. So its subjective now?

No, but in those waters and that region, I’ll bet 500 to 1 that say it was them, I don’t doubt it for a moment. Just because THEY say it wasn’t us, given their history of attacks on the US.

Yea, because only Iranians exist in the region...not

Yes, someone in the military would slip in under the cover of darkness or go completely AWOL and plant a bomb in order to blame the Iranians, now if that doesn’t sound like the beginnings of an Oliver Stone movie, I don’t know what is. ROFL!

Who is blaming the U.S. government? You need to chill out, nobody is blaming anyone here except you. Although now that you mention it, it wouldn't be so unbelievable. The U.S. military does lots of things unknown to the public. In fact, pretty much all of their operations are confidential to some level of degree.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Let's just hope the cooler heads prevail.

Trump tried to threaten leaving the deal as leverage to extract concessions from Iran but he was unsuccessful, and he was unsuccessful at negotiating a new deal. So now we're kind of stuck back in 2015 where Iran is enriching at high levels again because of Trump's miscalculation and the US is putting sanctions back in place. It's like we just stepped out of a DeLorean, back to the time when everything kind of sucked.

So now Trump is under pressure to make something happen. He can't go into the election taking credit for tearing up a working deal and replacing it with Iran enriching again. Obviously. He would have been better off keeping the deal in place and negotiating something more comprehensive, but he lacked the negotiating skills to do that. Now that time has passed.

So now something has to happen, something has to change, something has to give him a win since he's backed himself into a corner. Suddenly the mines appear. Did Iran do it? Probably. They're Iran. But Trump destroyed his own credibility and gave everyone a way out since he's not trustworthy. And everyone knows he's up to something and not shooting straight. So he's isolated the US and he doesn't have any good options.

The question now is how desperate does he get. Really the only option he has is to take a hardline stance against Iran to bolster the hardliners in Iran. The mullahs will use Trump's actions against Iranian moderates to say that they were right from the beginning, and they'll use it to gain power. Then maybe they will do something to provoke a response, and Trump has his way out. That's really the only thing I see happening to save Trump, his horrible decision, and his lack of negotiating skills.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I'm still not convinced.

I’m definitely convinced.

Not saying Iran didn't do it. But the U.S. military needs to prove that they did if they want to legitimize any sort of action against it.

Claiming it resembles mines used in Iran is not good enough.

Maybe not for ordinary people that don’t have that kind of clearance, but for the intelligence community it does and that’s all that matters the info they know and have, whether you or I believe it is irrelevant.

I guess they want the world to believe that Iran is the only country capable of creating a limpet mine

No, but in those waters and that region, I’ll bet 500 to 1 that say it was them, I don’t doubt it for a moment. Just because THEY say it wasn’t us, given their history of attacks on the US.

...well, I guess the U.S. military is a bunch of idiots. Because anyone could build one using google.

Yes, someone in the military would slip in under the cover of darkness or go completely AWOL and plant a bomb in order to blame the Iranians, now if that doesn’t sound like the beginnings of an Oliver Stone movie, I don’t know what is. ROFL!

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

Why is the US military is investigating an attack on two foreign-owned vessels carrying non-US goods between non-US destinations?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Dumb deal.

Then why did the other six nations sign the deal? What exactly was their reasoning behind that?

Every time someone brings this up, they can never answer that question.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Trump canceled the deal.

Not really, there was already a multilaterally accepted sanctions program on Iran BEFORE Obama scrapped it, it all depends on how far back you want to go.

The Obama deal reduces from 10k centrifuges to 5k at one of the plant, that's not stopping a path to nuclear weapons. Max inventory of 300kg? That would encourage Iran to sell excess plutonium to terrorists for dirty bomb making.

In any case, it's all plain to see how disastrous the deal is, as soon as Iran money was freed up it flowed straight into conflicts all over the middle east.

Dumb deal.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

paving a path to nuclear war

Now THAT is fuuny. Thanks for the morning laugh.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Why would Iran refrain from ramping up production after the US pulled out of the deal under which Iran was not producing much material? Why would Iran not respond to Donny trying to choke its economy?

So I ran is willing and capable of paving a path to nuclear war to save its economy, but not willing to attackers 6 tankers?

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

What! But I thought Iran was satisfied with the 2015 deal - what gives?

Trump canceled the deal. Why would they stick to a deal that has been canceled?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

nostromo - No - I am referring to naval warfare experts who have seen the photos and based on their knowledge of how different explosive devices work have stated that the damage was caused by something striking the ship, not something attached to it exploding.

Then you are referring to experts who haven't had access to the actual evidence.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

the Iranian sailors on that patrol boat must have super-human strength because they managed to remove it pretty damn quickly

They didn't remove it, they broke the adhesive bond between the mine and the magnet.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Looks to me they were inspecting the damage to the tanker or helping the crew.

Trying to save you the embarassment. The part of the tanker they were inspecting wasn't damaged. It's the part with the mine prised off, AND:

They only broke the adhesive bonding the mine to the magnet and took the mine only;

They left the magnet behind, komplete with residue adhesive as well;

There are also projectile marks on the tanker as well, they must have tried to explode the mine by shooting it (unsuccessfully), US lab is probably analysing samples (if any) left by the projectiles.

There are photos showing both these, and the media has access to the magnet now. Iran has also gone silence, they didn't think USN can send a rotary wing in that fast...but USN did, and is probably giving rope to Iran in slowly dripping out data.

Can't believe how far some people are willing to shove their heads up ... inorder to cling onto their tenous conspuracy theories...

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Trump has made if clear he does not want war.

Meanwhile, its a Japanese tanker, what is Japan going to do about if?

This was a clear slap on the Prime Minister.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Iran recently has quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium and threatened to boost its enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels, trying to pressure Europe for new terms to the 2015 deal.

What! But I thought Iran was satisfied with the 2015 deal - what gives?

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Apparently the Iranian soldiers are so incompetent that they wear phosphorescent life jackets on secret missions

All riding in an Iranian Gashti class patrol boat, are they going to disguise the boat as well?

If Iranian generals have threatened attacks, do the lackeys pretend and disguise themselves?

You didn't quote my post in full. I also added; Looks to me they were inspecting the damage to the tanker or helping the crew.

So these guys were so dumb that they rocked up to the tanker in broad daylight "to remove a limpet mine" while ignoring any possibility that a drone would catch them doing the dirty deed? A dodgy salesman could do a better job than what we get with the official horse manure.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

They also displayed a magnet - one of six apparently used to attach the unexploded limpet mine to the ship's hull. Sailors said it took two of them and a crowbar to pry it off the ship.

Well, the Iranian sailors on that patrol boat must have super-human strength because they managed to remove it pretty damn quickly. This stinks of a lie. The "why we have this evidence? The Iranians were unable to remove it" claim that they are asserting here makes no sense. If this was the case, why are there no "fragments" from the other ship?

I guess they want the world to believe that Iran is the only country capable of creating a limpet mine...well, I guess the U.S. military is a bunch of idiots. Because anyone could build one using google.

Not only that, I highly doubt it would be impossible to get your hands on the exact one that Iran makes. Furthermore we are just going to disregard what the sailors said?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Exactly. Just shows that Trump was correct In thinking that allowing Iran to have the capability to exceed the cap wasn’t a good idea. Take away the capability then you have guaranteed compliance. 

Hilarious. Giving credit to Donny when he is the exact reason Iran ramped up production.

just counting on Iran not to ramp up production again every somerhing doesn’t go their way is kinda bad policy.

Why would Iran refrain from ramping up production after the US pulled out of the deal under which Iran was not producing much material? Why would Iran not respond to Donny trying to choke its economy?

You dismiss Donny's actions as Iran not getting its way. Hilarious.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I'm still not convinced. Not saying Iran didn't do it. But the U.S. military needs to prove that they did if they want to legitimize any sort of action against it. Claiming it resembles mines used in Iran is not good enough. I guess they want the world to believe that Iran is the only country capable of creating a limpet mine...well, I guess the U.S. military is a bunch of idiots. Because anyone could build one using google.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Great thing did withdrawing from that disastrous deal.

Yes, what a disaster it was to have Iran producing less enriched uranium at lower levels and verified by inspections. Such a horrible disaster. Whats Iran doing now that is far better than not enriching large amounts of uranium to bomb grade?

Would have never permitted Iran from developing any ballistic weapons.

Sweet, sweet Trumpophile "logic," if we can't fix a problem entirely, why even try?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

nostromo - And yet reports from several naval warfare experts in the last few days have stated the complete opposite.

Are you referring to experts who haven't had access to the actual evidence?

No - I am referring to naval warfare experts who have seen the photos and based on their knowledge of how different explosive devices work have stated that the damage was caused by something striking the ship, not something attached to it exploding.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

America is incapable to wage a ground war against Iran with its vast territory

Well, it's only one part of Iran's territory that ensures no one dares start a war against it. The Persian Gulf. Oil tankers would not dare enter or leave the gulf if there's a war. Trump knows this, so does Pompeo, Bolton etc.

You simply can not cut 30% of world oil supply and hope to keep the developed world stable.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Apparently the Iranian soldiers are so incompetent that they wear phosphorescent life jackets on secret missions

All riding in an Iranian Gashti class patrol boat, are they going to disguise the boat as well?

If Iranian generals have threatened attacks, do the lackeys pretend and disguise themselves?

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

nostromo - And yet reports from several naval warfare experts in the last few days have stated the complete opposite.

Are you referring to experts who haven't had access to the actual evidence?

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Let us not pander to hawks on any side.

Then what do you propose as a measure to stop attack on tankers?

Don't forget Iran has not release a single piece of evidence to refute the allegations made against them. In their own backyard, together with threats made by their own generals, yet nothing.

You just can't please some people until it's total chaos, then everybody complains about inactions.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Iran has repeatedly threatened to cut off, or disrupt, vessel traffic thru the Gulf of Oman whenever it has a dispute with one of it's neighbors, or with the U.S..

I find it interesting that the pro-Iranian posters chose to blame everyone for attacking these tankers except the one nation (Iran) that has repeated said they would do so.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Apparently the Iranian soldiers are so incompetent that they wear phosphorescent life jackets on secret missions. That's what newly released photos from the Pentagon show. Looks to me they were inspecting the damage to the tanker or helping the crew.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-06-17/pentagon-releases-more-proof-iran-attacked-oman-tankers

6 ( +8 / -2 )

But what about the eye witnesses? Surely they are more reliable than someone (with an agenda) who wasn’t even there. Is he suggesting that the limpet mines flew through the air to hit the ship? Some people will believe anything.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

If the same people/groups presented this same evidence to prove wrongdoing by Trump, would be sufficient and no questions would be asked.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Trump has increased the tensions with Iran after his withdrawal from the nuclear agreement and then threatening sanctions against countries doing business with Iran.

Great thing did withdrawing from that disastrous deal.

The agreement is at the eve of total collapse, then what. Iran will once again produce weapons grade uranium.

Would have never permitted Iran from developing any ballistic weapons.

America could attack Iran but incapable of going to war with it.

Utter nonsense.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Extraordinary and extremely consequential claims deserve irrefutable evidence. We have seen dog and pony shows before in the drum up to war. The cost? Hundreds of thousands die, trillions of dollars, and consequences way beyond resolution. Will we allow ourselves to be fooled again? Let us not pander to hawks on any side. Our military uses deceit as one of the first tools in its arsenal. They have cried "wolf" too often.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

"The damage we observed is consistent with a limpet mine attack," Kido said.

And yet reports from several naval warfare experts in the last few days have stated the complete opposite.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Which liars do you believe?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Exactly. Just shows that Trump was correct In thinking that allowing Iran to have the capability to exceed the cap wasn’t a good idea. Take away the capability then you have guaranteed compliance. 

just counting on Iran not to ramp up production again every somerhing doesn’t go their way is kinda bad policy.

It’s funny, we don’t believe the US if there is verifiable proof, but Iran saying it wasn’t them, just can’t be disputed. Wow!

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Exactly. Just shows that Trump was correct In thinking that allowing Iran to have the capability to exceed the cap wasn’t a good idea. Take away the capability then you have guaranteed compliance.

just counting on Iran not to ramp up production again every somerhing doesn’t go their way is kinda bad policy.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Gulf of Tonkin incident all over. Keep an eye the news as Trump spins this up just like the WMDs that were supposed to be in Iraq.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Look at all the wars started on false premises. Japan's war against China. America's bombing of North Vietnam. America's invasion of Iraq.

Iran would have absolutely nothing to gain from planting mines on tankers. Israel, Saudi, UAE, and John Bolton, on the other hand . . .

16 ( +18 / -2 )

You should be asking Donny these questions given he's the one who forced this situation.

I don't like Donny for what he's about, and what he is doing to the world, but isn't Iran playing into his hands?

Trump said Iran can't be trusted with the deal.

Iran told everyone they're going to stick by the deal regardless of Trump (to get the other signatories of the deal to put pressure on Trump), and this week Iran said, in fact they've increased production of enriched uranium and will breach the threshold this month.

Trump doesn't have to do much...Iran is giving itself a reaming.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

I don’t see what Iran can get out of it...

They can't either, the US is obviously strategically releasing data over time, this is how you catch deniers and tarnish their reputation. There's only one plausible explanation, Putin telling AK, my reputation is shiite, you have to destroy your reputation too.

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

Problem nowadays is that we cannot trust anyone.

I don’t see what Iran can get out of it...

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Right. Got it.

No, you clearly don't:

Any fool can buy these scraps of metal on Ebay.

Funny that if a piece of metal from a US chopper is found in Okinawa the US claims that it could easily have been planted.

But when a chunk of metal is scavenged from the ocean, it's proof that Iran wants war.

You should be asking Donny these questions given he's the one who forced this situation.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Just waiting for all the conspiracy theories to surface, I'm in for a good laugh...

Iran, which has previously used mines against oil tankers in the crucial waterway in the 1980s, has also not acknowledged retrieving the mine.

They're obviously not privileged to the news cycle. Mr AK, there's photos taken from a rotary wing aircraft in kodachrome glory of your henchmen taking the mine off. Denial is just going to push your head further up...

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