Tension rising in Basra - Where will it lead?

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
06/01/2012 12:23

According to Turkish Daily News today

"Iran is to hold fresh military exercises in and around the strategic Strait of Hormuz within weeks, the naval commander of Revolutionary Guards was quoted as saying on Friday. They are to be held in the Iranian calendar month that runs from January 21 to February 19

The waterway is the world's "most important chokepoint" for oil tankers, according to the US Energy Information Administrations. Some 20 percent of the world's oil flows through the narrow channel at the entrance to the Gulf.

Iran's regular navy completed 10 days of wargames to the east of the strait early this week with tests of three anti-ship missiles

Iran's military & political leaders have warned they could close the strait if increased Western sanctions halt Iranian oil exports. The navy has also warned it will react if the United States tries to redeploy one of its aircraft carriers to the waterway"

Is Iran threatening anyone in the region? or is there an over reaction?

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
06/01/2012 17:16

What's this got to do with Basra? Basra is in Iraq not Iran!

jimchris09


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 547

Message Posted:
06/01/2012 21:07

Nowt to do with Basra...but I live in Oman and as it is the country which "guards" the Strait (with the help of US and UK forces etc), I'm a bit concerned, to say the least!

Ed1957


Joined: 03/09/2011
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
06/01/2012 21:51

Big Oz, stick to maths. your Geog is dodgy to say the least,

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
06/01/2012 23:15

Pippie, jimchris, & Ed1957;

Just to end this mass hysteria by the ill-educated I shall pause the good film I was watching and perhaps educate you all on the matter! It has nothing to do with Basra?

To start with, due to limited characters allowed in title I used the short name "Basra" instead of "Gulf of Basra". You need not be a rocket scientists to understand it meant Gulf of Basra, once you read the post!

As for the name "Gulf of Basra" - it is still in dispute what the name of the Gulf after the straits of Hurmuz is called. The Iranians insist that it is "Gulf of Iran" (bordering Eastern shores), the Arabs call it "Gulf of Arabia", The Iraqis call it "Gulf of Basra", the English call it "The Arabian Gulf", The Americans and most of Europe news casters understendably call it just "The Gulf"!

Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots cal it "Basra Körfezi" (Gulf of Basra), so do the Iraqis and some other Middle Eastern countries. In short, there is nothing wrong with my geography

jimchris09


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 547

Message Posted:
07/01/2012 04:54

In English, Gulf of Basra is a very dated term. Even in Turkish it was apparently used only occasionally in Ottoman times.

A more widely accepted term in the last 30 years or so is "The Gulf".

Most people would understand the use of this.

jimchris09


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 547

Message Posted:
07/01/2012 04:57

Your title could have been: "Tension rising in the Gulf - What next?"



Anyways this is a small matter. Thanks for the post. I was unaware of the situation.

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
07/01/2012 07:35

them big yankie carriers will steam in and blow them eyeranians clean out the water .

zookeeper


Joined: 17/03/2010
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
07/01/2012 07:46

Headlines in the Daily Telegraph this morning.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8997956/Royal-Navy-sends-its-mightiest-ship-to-take-on-the-Iranian-show-of-force-in-the-Gulf.html

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
07/01/2012 11:43

Britain's most formidable War Ship?..... With the defence cuts as they are I think it should read,, " Britain's Only formidable Ship....

timaloy


Joined: 30/06/2011
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
07/01/2012 13:09

spot on rowlo,trust in the country that put man on the moon approx 40 years ago,

zookeeper


Joined: 17/03/2010
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
07/01/2012 13:17

Think you're probably safe in Guernsey martinD41. Those of us who live in the UAE and Oman are rather concerned and welcome any support from friendly nations.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
07/01/2012 14:36

An Iranian fishing vessel travelling in the Gulf of Oman sent out a distress signal saying that it was being raided by Somali Pirates. In response the US launched low flying helicopters and a high speed launch to chase off the pirates.