Can Iran actually block the Straits of Hormuz simply by sinking a tanker there? - Page 3

bull · 04-08-2006, 02:47 AM

If iran touches a ship passing thru the int'l sealanes,then they had it.

Bush wud be the happiest and wud be praying for such a thing to happen as that wud increase the support he will get for his gulfwar 3.

**Officer of Engineers** · 04-08-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -{SpoonmaN}-

No, I'd imagine you could, but it would make things that much harder. Apart from having to destroy the Iranian Navy (not sure what it's like these days but I know it was rather formidable once upon a time), achieving Air dominance and carrying out whatever other operations (SF raids, short-term incursions or a full-blown invasion depening on the scenario) would be required, minesweeping would be an extra hassle that would increase the economic damage Iran could do to the USA. And like I said, it would tie down more ships and aircraft as they would be needed to protect the minesweepers.

It has ALREADY happenned. It's called the Tanker War. Traffic did not stopped. And the entire Iranian Navy was effectively destroyed. The current Iranian bluff is way overblown.

Wraith601 · 04-09-2006, 00:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

It has ALREADY happenned. It's called the Tanker War. Traffic did not stopped. And the entire Iranian Navy was effectively destroyed. The current Iranian bluff is way overblown.

David Poyer wrote a prtty good book called The Gulf that's set during the Tanker War.

Tronic · 04-09-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -{SpoonmaN}-

Seems like most of the Gulf States are setting themselves up as tourist centres and money laundering facilities etc.
Saudi Arabia would be a fantastically lucrative tourist location if it weren't for their Government's warped view on Islam and morality. But I guess they have to do something to appease the fundamentalists in their midst if they want to keep their heads, since they obviously aren't going to bother with real democracy, human rights or education and poverty reduction efforts.

poverty in Saudi Arabia????????? never heard of that......

**TopHatter** · 04-09-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asim Aquil

I live in Dubai. Which is hardly dependent any more on Oil. Yet its the most advanced Middle Eastern city.
All consumer goods pass through here. Theres still lots to do. A lot more infact..

Good point, glad to see that Dubai has diversified. But how much business do the Oil States do with or in Dubai? What happens when their petro-dollars dry up?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asim Aquil

Anyway the discussion was about Iran. Iran would have options open.

Another good point...though thread-hijacking is a favorite pasttime around here

**Officer of Engineers** · 04-09-2006, 13:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronic

poverty in Saudi Arabia????????? never heard of that......

You've never been to that sewage hole of a country. There's proverty all right. Big time proverty.

Jay · 04-09-2006, 16:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

You've never been to that sewage hole of a country. There's proverty all right. Big time proverty.

Saudi Arabia's unemployment is around 20-30 percent. So its a no brainer that they have poverty in Saudi Arabia. And a lot more people survive coz of the doles they receive from the government.

dalem · 04-09-2006, 21:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -{SpoonmaN}-

No, I'd imagine you could, but it would make things that much harder. Apart from having to destroy the Iranian Navy (not sure what it's like these days but I know it was rather formidable once upon a time),

The Iranian navy formidable? In whose fantasy world?

They have about 3 old frigates and a couple of corvettes that can float, plus a dozen or so patrol boats. The only real wet threat they have are 3 Kilo SSKs. And mines, of course.

But all that's pretty easy pickins for the USN.

Quote:

achieving Air dominance and carrying out whatever other operations (SF raids, short-term incursions or a full-blown invasion depening on the scenario) would be required, minesweeping would be an extra hassle that would increase the economic damage Iran could do to the USA. And like I said, it would tie down more ships and aircraft as they would be needed to protect the minesweepers.

Fine, send 2 CVBGs instead of one - whooptie-do.

-dale

gunnut · 04-10-2006, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

It has ALREADY happenned. It's called the Tanker War. Traffic did not stopped. And the entire Iranian Navy was effectively destroyed. The current Iranian bluff is way overblown.

A former coworker of mine was on an LSD during that period escorting tankers through the strait. He said his ship had SEALs with their black helos onboard. They spotted some Iranians trying to mine the strait in the middle of the night. They put them out of action. Thermal imagers are a wonderful thing.

sparten · 04-10-2006, 15:53 PM

Last time an Iranian Navy was formidable was 486 BC, Battle of Salamis.
But they could cause significant headaches for people. Navigable channels in the Straits of Hormuz for the large oil tankers are fairly narrow and if they do scuttle any obstacle in those channels the traffic would be seriously impaired.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parihaka

They return to 700ad

When they were ruling an empire which streched from France to India? Not a bad idea.

**Parihaka** · 04-10-2006, 18:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparten

Last time an Iranian Navy was formidable was 486 BC, Battle of Salamis.
But they could cause significant headaches for people. Navigable channels in the Straits of Hormuz for the large oil tankers are fairly narrow and if they do scuttle any obstacle in those channels the traffic would be seriously impaired.

When they were ruling an empire which streched from France to India? Not a bad idea.

, yeah but the rest of us have moved on matey

Edit: In retrospect, you can have France

**Officer of Engineers** · 04-11-2006, 19:21 PM

Lmao!!!

Blademaster · 04-11-2006, 21:29 PM

Ha ha ha.

The US warship doesn't need missiles to kill those boats. All she needs to do is run over them but again they may be packed with explosives like the Cole bombing so just get a M-50 gun with a good scope and blow that motherfvcker out of the water.

Couple Perry Oliver frigates should do the job.

Jay · 04-11-2006, 22:00 PM

Can we draw parallels to those pirate ships on the Somalian coast?

I guess USN would be pretty confused how to kill these dingy's!! It will be an overkill anyways

sparten · 04-12-2006, 00:23 AM

Errr, sir, that looks a lot like the Shatt-Ul-Arab.
The Loylds of London guy we spoke to seemed pretty worried about them blocking the straits of hormuz, former RN man.

04-08-2006, 02:47 AM	#31 (permalink)
bull *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 01-17-05 Posts: 2,982	If iran touches a ship passing thru the int'l sealanes,then they had it. Bush wud be the happiest and wud be praying for such a thing to happen as that wud increase the support he will get for his gulfwar 3. __________________ What's the difference between people who pray in church and those who pray in casinos? The ones in the casinos are serious.

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04-11-2006, 21:29 PM	#43 (permalink)
Blademaster Military Enthusiast *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 08-15-03 Posts: 3,259	Ha ha ha. The US warship doesn't need missiles to kill those boats. All she needs to do is run over them but again they may be packed with explosives like the Cole bombing so just get a M-50 gun with a good scope and blow that motherfvcker out of the water. Couple Perry Oliver frigates should do the job.

04-11-2006, 22:00 PM	#44 (permalink)
Jay Tamizhanban *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 08-06-03 Location: Edison, NJ Posts: 6,492 Country:	Can we draw parallels to those pirate ships on the Somalian coast? I guess USN would be pretty confused how to kill these dingy's!! It will be an overkill anyways

04-12-2006, 00:23 AM	#45 (permalink)
sparten Actus Reus *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 04-10-04 Location: You would like to know would'nt you? Posts: 1,695 Country:	Errr, sir, that looks a lot like the Shatt-Ul-Arab. The Loylds of London guy we spoke to seemed pretty worried about them blocking the straits of hormuz, former RN man.

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