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© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.U.S. blames Iran for attacks on 2 tankers near Persian Gulf
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commanteer
Right. Iran attacks a Japanese ship while the Abe is visiting the country. That makes sense? "Sophisticated weapons" were used. Well, who would benefit from instability in the Gulf, rising oil prices, and a weakened Iran? Saudi Arabia comes to mind. I am pretty sure they can afford fancy weapons. And they have shown they are willing to do anything to establish dominance in the region. I wouldn't be surprised if the CIA is involved as well. It's right from their playbook.
drlucifer
The big bully has started beating the war drum.
Sh1mon M4sada
@commanteer
...and just how does Saudi Arabia weaken Iran by attacking two ships that has just left the Saudi's own port and carrying Saudi oil?
Surely, if Iran want to send a message, who better than a Japanese PM given Japanese ownership of one of the ship.
IF, you're trying construct a justification for war, no need, there has been 4 other attacks already before this. IF, the Saudis wanted to drive USA into war, they could have just blame Iran, and suspend shipment until things stabilise, this alone would have all citizens of petro driven economies march on their parliament demanding annihilation of Iran.
stormcrow
Thank you, President Trump. You've scrapped the nuclear deal and you've poked America's finger in Iran's eye. Iran is in no way like N. Korea and now you've got a tiger by its tail.
CrazyJoe
What could Iran possibly have to gain by starting a war with the US?
Israel and Saudi Arabia, with enthusiastic support from Pompeo and Bolton, have been pressing America to force regime change in Iran. If successful, false flag attacks on foreign ships would obviously advance their efforts.
When something starts to stink, I look at the garbage.
dbsaiya
Israeli SPECOPS under the direction of Trump, and Javanka.
lincolnman
There are lots of possible theories here - my own is that this was conducted by the Republican Guards or some other far-right, anti-western faction in Iran. It's well known that Iran is ruled by factions and there is little overall coordination and control from the national government.
But what is clear is John Bolton is rejoicing - another middle east war is starting to percolate - and Trump is stupid enough to follow him blindly down that road.
It's a Republican administration, of course they'll start another middle east war, that's what they do - they can't help themselves.
But the American people can - stand up - tell your Senator and Congressman; no more young American men and women dying in the desert for nothing...
And vote out the "I love war" Repubs...
PTownsend
Saudi, the UAE and Kuwait each come to mind. As does the state Jared and daddy-in-law shill for, with financial backing from Sheldon Adelson and other extremists.
Also, which non-Gulf producing country that depends primarily on sales of fossil fuels to keep its economy afloat (and its kleptocrat and his oligarchs billionaires) would also benefit from higher oil prices, particularly when it has shown it's willing to use its huge army of spooks to dioxinate opposition and sabotage facilities.
CrazyJoe
News outlets, please investigate closely. Iran has nothing to gain and everything to lose from attacking anyone. Donald Trump and friends are looking for any excuse to start a war with Iran and divert attention from his legal and political problems. Remember, Saddam Hussein did not carry out 9/11 and he didn't have weapons of mass destruction.
Toasted Heretic
Saudi Arabia? Israel? Or is it a CIA gig? As said elsewhere, the timing is well dubious.
Abe has been duped and the great distraction is in place.
Wallace Fred
Yes. After a myriad of false flags throughout history with the Iraqi wmds still in memory, how can any sane individual believe this? Seriously. How?
kurisupisu
Where is the official Iranian response in the article?
Sh1mon M4sada
Why would anyone assume that by attacking oil tankers that Iran is trying to start a war. Its objective is to make USA lift sanctions, not start a war. It's saying 'you, friends of the Saudis & USA won't benefit from the sanctions' by it enforcing an informal (read lying rodent) embargo on Saudi oil, but without declaring so.
Why would USA even want a war with Iran? It just wants Iran to agree to verifiable no nukes, because Iran has declared it wants to annihilate Israel and other enemies du jour.
George Grey
Most likely false flag attack by the CIA or Mossad to manufacture a war, like what happened in the Gulf of Tonkin.
weedkila
Just a reminder ...
Gen Wesley Clark Reveals US Plan To Invade Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Lybia, Somalia, Sudan, And Iran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8YtF76s-yM
drlucifer
Weired assumption. Makes no sense at all.
How does make Trump lift the sanctions
TumbleDry
The Iran Deal was that.
Iran agreed to unlimited inspections by the IAEA.
Trump decided to scrap it for a better deal that anyone as yet to see.
Not tired of winning yet?
weedkila
This is from 2010 but still very pertinent. It's no secret how closely Trump's admin is aligned with Israel.
Israeli Subs Headed for Gulf -- Israel allegedly has deployed a permanent nuclear submarine presence in the Persian Gulf to keep an eye on Iran.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137760
SuperLib
Yeah, Obama built a coalition and got concessions from Iran to end their nuclear development. Trump came and destroyed that saying he could do better, but doesn't even have a plan yet.
President No Results.
jeancolmar
Remember the "Maine" which was not blown up by the Spanish but was an excuse to start the Spanish-American War? Remember the Bay of Tonkin incident that never happened but was an excuse for the U.S. to escalate the Viet Nam War? Remember George W. Bush's weapons of mass destruction that did not exist but which were his excuse to invade Iraq? History and hysteria is repeating itself. There no proof that Iran is attacking tankers. Furthermore, there is no motive. Please let sanity prevail for once. Neither America nor anyone else needs another war.
martin.s. johnson
Firstly all facts accusing another country of aggressive acts should be presented to congress under oath by Pompeo , Bolton and any other security apparatus , and then the UN before making these fact less claims to the press. The Trump administration lies with impunity, the American people and everyone who follows the news knows that the US wants a conflict with Iran, you could say that acts of aggression against other nations is in the American governments DNA. The main stream media and online media is also to blame by printing these ridiculous claims just in order to either gain sales or more clicks per view and I certainly don't want to hear so called guest commentators giving their opinions when I can search the internet and find critical alternative to their rhetoric.
nandakandamanda
Although I do not think Iran would be so stupid to do this publicly, there is motive. That is to hit Trump himself and the American voting public directly in the pocket, just when he is trying to keep oil prices down.
Oh, and to show the world that if Iran is not allowed to export oil, well then, neither can anyone else. Straight faces and 'Oh, but we had nothing to do with it!"
Deniability built in, of course.
But like the US election, Brexit etc., a case can be made for either side.
TumbleDry
UknownPlayer: are they the new éminence grises?
That’s a new one Alex Jones should be jealous of.
Yosshh
POMP(Cheap, pretentious or vain display) EO
BOLT (Eat hastily without proper chewing) ON
You may find the meaning of those two names on dictionary and they are really mean to be
elephant200
Attack Japanese oil tankers while Japanese prime minister pursuading in Iran with Khameinei ?
The "Black Hand" must be the one has the most hatred at Iran!
nandakandamanda
This morning I checked the news to see if there had been any developments. "US blames Iran"... That is not news. How many times have I read this woven into every analysis. Right, we get it, you blame Iran! Gimme a break, fellas.
The US has been blaming Iran for weeks, but unwilling or unable to show what the accusation is based on.
Anyway the top news for me today was to discover that they have managed to put the fires out. That is incredible work!
Now, let's see if we can work out who is setting up these attacks and why. "Follow the money." (?)
In the meantime, tanker owners, check your hulls for magnetic mines, and set special watches and patrols at night. Maybe with luck someone will catch a live perpetrator feverishly at their dirty work...
Raw Beer
Indeed, but somehow they keep on believing what the MSM is feeding them.
Many have pointed out how most (all?) previous US wars were started with lies. The people should demand that those responsible for those lies be held accountable; they have lots of blood on their hands. Until then, we should not listen to the likes of Pompeo, Bolton, et al.
notasap
Iran has threatened to do exactly what we have see...to shoot ships in the Hormuz Straight. But hey, let's all just say "this doesn't make sense..." as if the laws of civil logic govern intelligence operations. Maybe its exactly because it "doesn't make sense" that they did it and think they can get away with it. MacArthur is correct, the Japanese are like children. The English too nowadays.
Tiana Young
It is Iran's fault.
Raw Beer
Perhaps (((they))) were sending a message, telling Abe to not make any deals with Iran.
nandakandamanda
Kkkk do you have a link?
(The news I saw only said that someone (US forces?) had found one still unexploded mine on the hull of one of the tankers.)
Serrano
Donald Trump and friends are looking for any excuse to start a war with Iran
Trump is not looking for an excuse to start a war with Iran, he wants to build hotels in Tehran, not turn it into a parking lot.
rlperez@hotmail.com.au
We, the nations of the world, all know this is another Iraq/WMD ploy which will be used as an excuse by the US for another invasion of a sovereign nation, more muscle flexing by the US in order to maintain its world dictatorship, more US warmongering. The question is: what are we going to do about it? The US has been warmongering and destabilizing the glob for the last 70 years in order to gain and maintain dominance and, aside from talk, the nations of the glob have done nothing but appease the US. Besides talk and comment what are we going to do, just let it continue? Now is the time to act and put a stop to US bullying and aggression, not just talk.
Sh1mon M4sada
watch the video first then suggest how you would go about intercepting the boat, in the Gulf of Oman, in the dark.
Assuming it's all possible, because you're ace interceptor, what next?
The US got what they needed....
Sh1mon M4sada
Not END, slow, and reduce. Sanctions END. One sided deal. Blind Freddie can see ir's a dumb deal, a deal made in China with German wrappings.
Sh1mon M4sada
and you can't figure out the video was taken from the air miles away. How does a plane intercept a boat? The tanker is in the Gulf of Oman, even if the USN could get a boat there (in time or at all), do you think they would pursue the boat into Iranian waters? AND for what, they got the video.
Eppee
https://www.theepochtimes.com/video-shows-iranian-forces-removing-unexploded-mine-from-tanker-in-gulf-of-oman-us-military_2962925.html
Raw Beer
The explosives could have been placed at their last port (Saudi Arabia and Qatar).
itsonlyrocknroll
Is the US Presidency about to engage military action to bring about another war in the middle east?
If history has provide the global community a lesson in lunacy, that military action is not a means to and end, then neighbouring Iraq is an glaring example.
The attacks on these tankers will make little difference. The US Presidency option/decison to use military force could have already been planned and the only question is to what degree.
lincolnman
Absolutely true - Donnie loves dictators and tyrants - I mean, he has already talked to Putin on Trump Tower Moscow, and he no doubt talked to Kim about a Trump Tower Pyongyang - and now it's Trump Tower Tehran.
And as he said yesterday, he'd be glad if they passed on some disinformation to help his campaign, maybe for a few favors - like a Penthouse in Moscow for Vlad.
So what, it's just collusion...
Now John Bolton on the other hand, he's already channeling Dick Cheney - "we bomb Tehran tonight!"
Jake Leone
This attack was probably committed by the Saudi's. Think about it, the Japanese prime minister is visiting Iran, and Iran attacks a Japanese tanker? Does that make any sense for the Iranians, who want to open up trade?
No, it makes no sense at all.
But, to some in the Saudi government, who want a wider war with Iran, It could mean everything.
The Pentagon video is too grainy to see who is removing something from the tanker. And further, the tanker sailors are saying the attack was not from a mine, but from a fired shell.
Clearly, someone wants the world to think the Iranians mined the Gulf recently. Hence a grainy video (you can't identify who is who), occuring right after a shell attack (come on), who would be so stupid as to go near a mine (on an abandoned ship)?
No a false flag attack, that's what is was. Let's not get duped. Wait it out and and let's expose the real culprits.
ReturningGrace
Regardless of who the culprit really is, it's true that Iran has no interest in peace talk.
arrestpaul
The vessel is fully loaded with an extremely dangerous cargo. The crew abandoned the ship because they didn't want to be blown up. This is a huge floating bomb. It takes a specially trained, and highly paid crew, to deal with such a situation. Unless you are trying to remove evidence of your attempt to disable/blow up the vessels.
Currently, Iran is holding 23 crew members hostage, and is refusing to allow one of the tankers to be towed to port. And there are still some people who believe that Iran wasn't involved?????