Iran is again attempting to provoke the US

Iran is threatening to move some of its naval vessels "near [the] maritime borders of the United States," accoding to the Tehran Times: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/09/27/iranian-navy-plans-to-send-ships-near-us-waters/

Yes, this is probably mere bluster--intended, perhaps, for domestic consumption--but those who habitually (and almost reflexively) contend that the US is the provocateur in this rancid relationship might want to reconsider.

Oh, an addendum: Iran is now manufacturing a cruise missile, with a 124-mile range, that can "sink giant warships," to be mounted upon its naval vessels: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/09/28/iran-says-its-new-cruise-missile-delivered-to-navy/

 

I'm going to tell you the same thing your mother told you when you were four... just ignore them.

 

Granny says blow `em outta the water...

Iran Threatens the US East Coast
Sep 28, 2011‎ - Iran is threatening to send war ships to the East Coast of the United States in a major escalation with America.

 

Thats nothing compared to US provocations.

 

Given the hammer-and-sicle flag that seems to define your sentiments, that silly response is quite unsurprising...

 

No, my mother told me to punch them in the nose.

It would be very funny to see one of Iran's ships fire a missile at one of our "Giant War Ships". There isn't a cruise missile on the planet that can penetrate our defenses but we have several war planes and some drones that can strike back with impunity. Not to mention the subs that will be a few thousand yard away just praying for the Iranians to produce a heat signature that looks like a missile.

If I was on one of the Iranian ships I wouldn't light a cigarette on deck.

 

We need to kick the UN out of the US and park it in Iran. They'll be so busy trying to keep their own from blowing it up constantly they wont have time for anything else.

 

our coast guard could take out the whole Iranian navy lol.

 

You are several days late. And about Iran's new missile: congratulations! You have technology that we built 45 years ago!

 

I am assuming that this is supposed to make some sort of trenchant point; although what it might bre, precisely, does seem rather unclear...

That is hardly on point.

It is my understanding that Iran intends to arm these ships--the ones that would approach US territorial waters--with these cruise milliles.

Some people might consider that an intentional provocation...

 

Holy (*)(*)(*)(*). You have to realize we have a huge impact in mid east politics. Support of Israel, the two wars, the whole deal with the shah then messing around in the Iran-Iraq war. Seriously we have a history of playing games there and to deny that is just foolish. Before you say it no, I'm not justifying a (*)(*)(*)(*) thing, just pointing out that you can't just dismiss history and brush off people who bring it up. It's a valid point.

 

I wholeheartedly support the state of Israel. Unabashedly.

I believe the war in Afghanistan was fully justified; and that the war in Iraq, given the intelligence that we possessed at the time, appeared justifiable when we entered into it.

To have to choose between Saddam Hussein's Iraq and Iran is the proverbial devil-versus-the-witch conundrum.

And Operation Ajax--which (supposedly, anyway) occurred some 58 years ago--is surely ancient history...

 

It's Fox News so take it with a grain of salt.

Seems like typical Republican war-propaganda to me.

 

Silly Iran,..they are just trying to stay relevant, and failing.

 

That's not really the point. Your support doesn't matter, it's that these things happened. Just because you support something doesn't mean others do, thus where terrorism comes from when it comes to the mid east and terrorism.

 

So the USA has had for years a large naval presence close to iran but iran cant send any ships that cant even do anything close to the USA?

As long as they remain in international waters, whats the problem. Or are you also saying the USA should withdraw all its carrier groups?

 

Oh no, Iran wants to do something that is not only perfectly legal but the US does all over the place? THOSE BASTARDS!

 

I would immediately, and unconditionally, concede your point that the two are analogous, if--if--you could provide just one scintilla of evidence to show that the US has been intentionally provocative toward Iran, rather than our merely keeping ships stationed near the Strait of Hormuz, in order to keep open that hugely important body of water...

 

The US wishes to provoke other nations gratuitously?

Really?

 

Sigh. Nice strawman.

 

You mean something like this :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655

Guess what would happen if iran did the same?

 

Did you just characterize that point as a "strawman" argument?

Would you care to elucidate, please?

Or is mere drive-by rhetoric more in keeping with your style of analysis (such as it is)?

 

And?

What does it matter unless they use them?

A warship that doesn't fire its weapons while in international waters is no different than a merchant ship of comparable size in international waters.

 

So you consider this unfortunate incident--which occurred over 23 years ago--to be evidence that the US is currently attempting to provoke Iran, by "keeping ships stationed near the Strait of Hormuz"?

Seriously?

 

Get back to me when a few of their vessels pass the Canary Islands .