WAR Main Persian Gulf Trouble thread
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jward
passin' thru
Global: MilitaryInfo
@Global_Mil_Info
According to i24NEWS, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE are having discussions to establish a defense alliance.
9:04 AM · Feb 25, 2021·Twitter for Android
Exclusive: Israel in talks to establish 4-nation defense alliance with Saudi, UAE and Bahrain
i24NEWS
February 25, 2021, 8:22 AMlatest revision February 25, 2021, 9:43 AM
2 min read
AP Photo/Alex BrandonBahrain FM Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, (left), Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and UAE FM Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, on September 15, 2020.
Jerusalem does not have official diplomatic relations with Riyadh but is thought to have clandestine ties
Jerusalem is currently in talks with the kingdoms of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in establishing a four-nation defense alliance, according to an exclusive i24NEWS report.
While Jerusalem does not have official diplomatic relations with Riyadh, foreign media report that the two countries have long-standing clandestine ties.
However, the UAE and Bahrain, signed a historic normalization deal with Israel in September 2020 known as the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
The reported defense alliance talks likely come in response to the "growing Iranian threat" in the region, specifically regarding its budding nuclear program along with its expanding influence in the Middle East with countries like Syria and Iraq.
News of the reported talks comes as the newly Biden administration sends signals to Tehran and world powers that it is ready to rejoin the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, brokered by former President Barack Obama, which Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently opposed at the time.
www.i24news.tv
@Global_Mil_Info
According to i24NEWS, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE are having discussions to establish a defense alliance.
9:04 AM · Feb 25, 2021·Twitter for Android
Exclusive: Israel in talks to establish 4-nation defense alliance with Saudi, UAE and Bahrain
i24NEWS
February 25, 2021, 8:22 AMlatest revision February 25, 2021, 9:43 AM
2 min read
Jerusalem does not have official diplomatic relations with Riyadh but is thought to have clandestine ties
Jerusalem is currently in talks with the kingdoms of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in establishing a four-nation defense alliance, according to an exclusive i24NEWS report.
While Jerusalem does not have official diplomatic relations with Riyadh, foreign media report that the two countries have long-standing clandestine ties.
However, the UAE and Bahrain, signed a historic normalization deal with Israel in September 2020 known as the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
The reported defense alliance talks likely come in response to the "growing Iranian threat" in the region, specifically regarding its budding nuclear program along with its expanding influence in the Middle East with countries like Syria and Iraq.
News of the reported talks comes as the newly Biden administration sends signals to Tehran and world powers that it is ready to rejoin the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, brokered by former President Barack Obama, which Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently opposed at the time.
i24NEWS
www.i24news.tv
Global: MilitaryInfo
@Global_Mil_Info
According to i24NEWS, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE are having discussions to establish a defense alliance.
9:04 AM · Feb 25, 2021·Twitter for Android
Exclusive: Israel in talks to establish 4-nation defense alliance with Saudi, UAE and Bahrain
i24NEWS
February 25, 2021, 8:22 AMlatest revision February 25, 2021, 9:43 AM
2 min read
AP Photo/Alex BrandonBahrain FM Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, (left), Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and UAE FM Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, on September 15, 2020.
Jerusalem does not have official diplomatic relations with Riyadh but is thought to have clandestine ties
Jerusalem is currently in talks with the kingdoms of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in establishing a four-nation defense alliance, according to an exclusive i24NEWS report.
While Jerusalem does not have official diplomatic relations with Riyadh, foreign media report that the two countries have long-standing clandestine ties.
However, the UAE and Bahrain, signed a historic normalization deal with Israel in September 2020 known as the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
The reported defense alliance talks likely come in response to the "growing Iranian threat" in the region, specifically regarding its budding nuclear program along with its expanding influence in the Middle East with countries like Syria and Iraq.
News of the reported talks comes as the newly Biden administration sends signals to Tehran and world powers that it is ready to rejoin the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, brokered by former President Barack Obama, which Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently opposed at the time.
i24NEWS
Tick, tick, tick......
northern watch
TB Fanatic
This is extremely huge
jward
passin' thru
hmm
EndGameWW3
@EndGameWW3
Authorities say explosion strikes ship in Gulf of Oman; crew safe and heading to nearby port
View: https://twitter.com/EndGameWW3/status/1365297740067069954?s=20
EndGameWW3
@EndGameWW3
Authorities say explosion strikes ship in Gulf of Oman; crew safe and heading to nearby port
View: https://twitter.com/EndGameWW3/status/1365297740067069954?s=20
jward
passin' thru
..things one knows but still hates to read for 100$, Alex..
Israel Radar
@IsraelRadar_com
Netanyahu warns: #Israel "developing options" to prevent #Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon "at any cost"; reviving nuclear deal will be a "terrible mistake," he tells @IsraelHayomHeb in interview.
Israel Radar
@IsraelRadar_com
Netanyahu warns: #Israel "developing options" to prevent #Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon "at any cost"; reviving nuclear deal will be a "terrible mistake," he tells @IsraelHayomHeb in interview.
jward
passin' thru
northern watch
TB Fanatic
Recent drone attack on Saudi royal palace launched from Iraq
A senior Iran-backed militia official in Baghdad and a U.S. official say explosive-laden drones that targeted Saudi Arabia’s royal palace last month were launched from inside Iraq
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press
25 February 2021, 06:20
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Aug. 22, 2019 file photo, passengers leave the arrival terminal of Abha airport, south of Saudi Arabia. Saudi state TV says on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have targeted Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, causing a civilian plane on the tarmac to catch fire. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)
BAGHDAD -- Explosive-laden drones that targeted Saudi Arabia's royal palace in the kingdom's capital last month were launched from inside Iraq, a senior Iran-backed militia official in Baghdad and a U.S. official said.
Speaking to The Associated Press this week, the militia official said three drones were launched from Iraqi-Saudi border areas by a relatively unknown Iran-backed faction in Iraq and crashed into the royal complex in Riyadh on Jan. 23, exacerbating regional tensions.
Attacks on the Saudi capital have been sporadic amid the kingdom's yearslong war against neighboring Yemen's Houthi rebels. Earlier this month, the rebels targeted an airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia with bomb-laden drones, causing a civilian plane on the tarmac to catch fire.
The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, however, denied carrying out the attack that targeted Saudi Arabia's Yamama Palace on Jan. 23.
The comments by the senior Iraqi militia official mark the first time an Iran-backed group has acknowledged that Iraq was the origin of the attack, and points to the challenge Baghdad faces in halting attacks by Iranian-backed militia factions in Iraq.
It followed a claim of responsibility allegedly issued by a little-known group called Awliya Wa’ad al-Haq, or “The True Promise Brigades,” that circulated on social media, calling it retaliation for a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group in a Baghdad shopping district on Jan. 21.
The militia official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the attack, said the drones came “in parts from Iran and were assembled in Iraq, and were launched from Iraq.” He did not disclose where along the border the drones were launched and did not provide more details about the group claiming the attack.
Iran-backed groups have splintered significantly since the Washington-directed strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad more than a year ago. Both were key in commanding and controlling a wide array of Iran-backed groups operating in Iraq.
Since their deaths, militias have become increasingly unruly and disparate. Some Washington-based analysts argue the militias have become splintered only to allow them to claim attacks under different names to mask their involvement.
A U.S. official said Washington believes the Jan. 23 attack on the Yamama Palace was launched from inside Iraq. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not elaborate or say how the U.S. came to this conclusion.
An Iraqi official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the U.S. intelligence was shared with Iraq's government.
Launching a strike from Iraq would pose a challenge to Saudi air defenses, now focused on threats from Iran to the northeast and Yemen from the south. Such drones also are small enough and fly low enough to the ground to not be picked up on radar.
The attack comes as Iraq seeks to deepen economic ties with Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies over a variety of investment projects. Last week, Iraq's President Barham Salih visited the United Arab Emirates and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein visited Saudi Arabia this week, apparently to discuss the attack.
———
Associated Press writers Robert Burns in Washington and Samya Kullab in Baghdad contributed to this report.
Recent drone attack on Saudi royal palace launched from Iraq - ABC News (go.com)
A senior Iran-backed militia official in Baghdad and a U.S. official say explosive-laden drones that targeted Saudi Arabia’s royal palace last month were launched from inside Iraq
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press
25 February 2021, 06:20
FILE - In this Aug. 22, 2019 file photo, passengers leave the arrival terminal of Abha airport, south of Saudi Arabia. Saudi state TV says on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have targeted Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, causing a civilian plane on the tarmac to catch fire. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)
BAGHDAD -- Explosive-laden drones that targeted Saudi Arabia's royal palace in the kingdom's capital last month were launched from inside Iraq, a senior Iran-backed militia official in Baghdad and a U.S. official said.
Speaking to The Associated Press this week, the militia official said three drones were launched from Iraqi-Saudi border areas by a relatively unknown Iran-backed faction in Iraq and crashed into the royal complex in Riyadh on Jan. 23, exacerbating regional tensions.
Attacks on the Saudi capital have been sporadic amid the kingdom's yearslong war against neighboring Yemen's Houthi rebels. Earlier this month, the rebels targeted an airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia with bomb-laden drones, causing a civilian plane on the tarmac to catch fire.
The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, however, denied carrying out the attack that targeted Saudi Arabia's Yamama Palace on Jan. 23.
The comments by the senior Iraqi militia official mark the first time an Iran-backed group has acknowledged that Iraq was the origin of the attack, and points to the challenge Baghdad faces in halting attacks by Iranian-backed militia factions in Iraq.
It followed a claim of responsibility allegedly issued by a little-known group called Awliya Wa’ad al-Haq, or “The True Promise Brigades,” that circulated on social media, calling it retaliation for a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group in a Baghdad shopping district on Jan. 21.
The militia official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the attack, said the drones came “in parts from Iran and were assembled in Iraq, and were launched from Iraq.” He did not disclose where along the border the drones were launched and did not provide more details about the group claiming the attack.
Iran-backed groups have splintered significantly since the Washington-directed strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad more than a year ago. Both were key in commanding and controlling a wide array of Iran-backed groups operating in Iraq.
Since their deaths, militias have become increasingly unruly and disparate. Some Washington-based analysts argue the militias have become splintered only to allow them to claim attacks under different names to mask their involvement.
A U.S. official said Washington believes the Jan. 23 attack on the Yamama Palace was launched from inside Iraq. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not elaborate or say how the U.S. came to this conclusion.
An Iraqi official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the U.S. intelligence was shared with Iraq's government.
Launching a strike from Iraq would pose a challenge to Saudi air defenses, now focused on threats from Iran to the northeast and Yemen from the south. Such drones also are small enough and fly low enough to the ground to not be picked up on radar.
The attack comes as Iraq seeks to deepen economic ties with Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies over a variety of investment projects. Last week, Iraq's President Barham Salih visited the United Arab Emirates and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein visited Saudi Arabia this week, apparently to discuss the attack.
———
Associated Press writers Robert Burns in Washington and Samya Kullab in Baghdad contributed to this report.
Recent drone attack on Saudi royal palace launched from Iraq - ABC News (go.com)
jward
passin' thru
Hmm..
Israel Radar
@IsraelRadar_com
Explosion on #Israeli-owned cargo ship near gulf of #Oman, @ynetalerts says; crew reportedly unhurt, initial estimates suggest Iran may be behind the blast.
=================
Jon Gambrell جون
@jongambrellAP
Two American defense officials told the@AP that the ship had sustained two holes on its port side and two holes on its starboard side just above the waterline in the blast. The officials said it remained unclear what caused the holes.
9:10 AM · Feb 26, 2021·Twitter Web App
Israel Radar
@IsraelRadar_com
Explosion on #Israeli-owned cargo ship near gulf of #Oman, @ynetalerts says; crew reportedly unhurt, initial estimates suggest Iran may be behind the blast.
=================
Jon Gambrell جون
@jongambrellAP
Two American defense officials told the@AP that the ship had sustained two holes on its port side and two holes on its starboard side just above the waterline in the blast. The officials said it remained unclear what caused the holes.
9:10 AM · Feb 26, 2021·Twitter Web App
jward
passin' thru
Baxtiyar Goran
@BaxtiyarGoran
Resistance movement reiterate their threat against Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Militia groups accuse him cooperating with the US over last night’s airstrike. #Iraq
View: https://twitter.com/BaxtiyarGoran/status/1365333101971406849?s=20
night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
Has anyone seen a source for pics of the damage??
2 holes I'd have written off to two magnetic mines.
Two on each SIDE looks more like 2 missiles that didn't actually detonate but penetrated completely through.
2 holes I'd have written off to two magnetic mines.
Two on each SIDE looks more like 2 missiles that didn't actually detonate but penetrated completely through.
jward
passin' thru
Aurora Intel
@AuroraIntel
Replying to
@AuroraIntel
Reported (unconfirmed) photos from the damage caused to the #Israel|i owned MV Helios Ray in the Gulf of Oman.
Zagdid
Veteran Member
Like armor piercing, penetrating ATM.
jward
passin' thru
Ambrey Intelligence
@Ambrey_Intel
#MarineWarRisk: Yesterday at around 20:40 UTC, a vehicles carrier experienced an explosion while underway eastbound in the Gulf of Oman. Ambrey assess the vessel was possibly targeted due to its #Israel and #UK affiliations. Read more about this incident on the Ambrey MRI.
View: https://twitter.com/Ambrey_Intel/status/1365273371198521344?s=20
Replying to
@Ambrey_Intel
The Israel and Isle of Man-affiliated vessel had last called at Dammam, Saudi Arabia and was underway to Singapore having sailed via the the Tunb-Farur and Strait of Hormuz TSS during daylight hours. Crew reported to be safe despite damage.
How is it connected to Israel?
Through vessel ownership and management affiliations.
@Ambrey_Intel
#MarineWarRisk: Yesterday at around 20:40 UTC, a vehicles carrier experienced an explosion while underway eastbound in the Gulf of Oman. Ambrey assess the vessel was possibly targeted due to its #Israel and #UK affiliations. Read more about this incident on the Ambrey MRI.
View: https://twitter.com/Ambrey_Intel/status/1365273371198521344?s=20
Replying to
@Ambrey_Intel
The Israel and Isle of Man-affiliated vessel had last called at Dammam, Saudi Arabia and was underway to Singapore having sailed via the the Tunb-Farur and Strait of Hormuz TSS during daylight hours. Crew reported to be safe despite damage.
How is it connected to Israel?
Through vessel ownership and management affiliations.
night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
3017 looks like an ENTRY wound and an EXIT wound without a lot of ***BHANG*** involved. Not limpet mines clearly, too far above the water.
POSSIBLE but un-effing-likely the exit wound was from a detonating warhead... That is a LOT more like simple kinetic damage.
HC you got THAT right. I REALLY miss DJT's level of kinetic noise right about now.
And if Harris was NOT in the loop, I gotta wonder WHO actually green lighted the attack in Iraq/Syria.
it's usually nice to understand who has the pickle for the weapons used.
(Pickle==bomb release switch... used broadly here)
POSSIBLE but un-effing-likely the exit wound was from a detonating warhead... That is a LOT more like simple kinetic damage.
HC you got THAT right. I REALLY miss DJT's level of kinetic noise right about now.
And if Harris was NOT in the loop, I gotta wonder WHO actually green lighted the attack in Iraq/Syria.
it's usually nice to understand who has the pickle for the weapons used.
(Pickle==bomb release switch... used broadly here)
jward
passin' thru
Global: MilitaryInfo
@Global_Mil_Info
4h
According to Fox News, the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve has raised the threat and alert level for US service members in Iraq.
@Global_Mil_Info
4h
According to Fox News, the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve has raised the threat and alert level for US service members in Iraq.
northern watch
TB Fanatic
Moscow Expanding Ties With Iran to Counter Growing Turkish Influence Around Caspian
Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 18 Issue: 32
By: Paul Goble
February 25, 2021 05:37 PM Age: 1 day
Moscow is alarmed by the expansion of Turkish influence in the Caspian region, most immediately by Turkey’s enthusiasm for trans-Caspian natural gas pipelines, something that could undercut Russia’s ability to dominate that market. In response, Russia has expanded its own naval activities in the Caspian to signal that it remains a force to be reckoned with there because it could interrupt such flows by force (TRT Russian, February 23; KavkazGeoClub, February 16).
These Russian actions have, in turn, been concerning to Azerbaijan, the chief beneficiary of the expansion of Turkish influence in the Caspian region and a proponent of further trans-Caspian transit links with Central Asian countries. In response, Baku has directed its own naval force to prepare to defend pipelines and other energy infrastructure in the Caspian Sea from attack either by other countries or by non-state terrorists. Such preparations do not mean that any attacks are imminent, but they have their own dynamic, especially given that the Azerbaijani government has chosen to discuss them so publicly (Report.az, February 11; Kaspiyskiy Vestnik, February 18).
But Moscow has not limited its actions in the Caspian to its own forces. In recent weeks, it has held two exercises with Iranian ships in the central and southern portions of that sea, where most of the hydrocarbon fields and energy infrastructure between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan exist. It has been able to do so because Tehran is at least as worried about the implications of growing Turkish influence in the region as Moscow is (Caucasus Post, February 24; see EDM, February 18).
Iran does not have a significant fleet in the Caspian Sea or more generally—as measured by the number of ships, their size and their armaments. But earlier this month, Alireza Tangisiri, the commander of the naval forces of the Islamic Republic’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, announced that Tehran has begun building larger and more heavily armed vessels, which will help make Iran a true naval power (Vzglyad, February 12). Most Russian analysts have dismissed this as Iranian braggadocio, but they have nonetheless suggested that Moscow could benefit from such a development. In the Persian Gulf, a larger Iranian presence would reduce the burden on the Russian navy to counter the United States fleet; and in the Caspian, a larger Iranian force could limit the spread of Turkish influence and provide protection to the north-south trade route that Russia and Iran both favor. As a result, some in Moscow are now asking what Russian shipbuilding industry could do to help Tehran (Vzglyad, February 20), despite the fact that Russia’s own shipyards are deeply troubled (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, December 17 2020).
In a new Vzglyad commentary, Moscow security analyst Aleksandr Timokhin writes that, from many points of view, the current moment seems propitious for such cooperation. Moscow could provide Iran not only with important components for its navy but also, if Tehran were interested, with finished ships. Iran has already purchased three Russian-produced submarines and, thus, has experience with Russian yards and equipment (Vzglyad, February 20). He focuses on the advantages that a larger Iranian navy would give Russia in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, allowing Moscow to “delegate” to the Iranians part of the task of containing the US that, “crudely speaking,” the Russian navy does not have sufficient strength to do on its own. But it seems clear that the Russian analyst is also interested in seeing Iran develop its naval presence, albeit within limits, northward. Moscow would like the Iranian fleet there to be strong enough to help Russia contain Turkey but not so strong as to be in a position to promote Tehran’s plans for an expanded Iranian empire including “Armenia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and other” lands to its north.
That is not the only factor limiting the expansion of such cooperation, Timokhin contends. Iran wants to develop its own shipbuilding industry rather than being forced to rely on Russia, especially given that Tehran remembers well that in the 1990s, Moscow, under pressure from the West, stopped supplying the Iranian navy. At least some Iranians fear that this could happen again, and they do not want to put themselves at risk. But at the same time, other Iranians, aware of the limitations of their national yards, are interested in speaking with the Russians or even the Chinese—and their conversations with Beijing in this regard may be another reason for Moscow to seek to promote its own services. According to Timokhin, the possibilities of a massive Russian assistance program for the development of the Iranian navy are thus quite limited, although some moves in that direction may be possible. If worries about Turkey over Caspian routes or east-west tensions intensify, Moscow is likely to try to secure Tehran’s agreement for a tighter relationship than it now wants.
One sign Moscow may be moving in that direction is the revival of talk about an even more gigantic project involving Russia and Iran: the possible construction of a 7,200-kilometer-long canal across Iran that would carry cargo and allow for the movement of ships between the Caspian and the Persian Gulf. Conversations among Russians, Iranians and Indians about such a project have been on-again, off-again throughout the last five years (Vzglyad, April 8, 2016 and Kavkaz Uzel, November 1, 2018); but now, some observers suggest these discussions may take off, which could benefit Russia and Iran in two important ways (Kavkaz Uzel, February 16).
On the one hand, such a canal would be a boon to north-south trade and undercut Turkey’s east-west projects. And on the other hand, it would allow Iran’s navy to move ships from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian in the event of need, just as Russia has moved ships from the Caspian to the Sea of Azov to pressure Ukraine (see EDM, May 31, 2018 and November 27, 2018). But even if neither of these Russian projects bear fruit, they highlight the fact that Moscow’s contest with Turkey in the Caucasus not only involves Iran but has gone to sea, adding a new dimension to this geopolitical competition.
Moscow Expanding Ties With Iran to Counter Growing Turkish Influence Around Caspian - Jamestown
Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 18 Issue: 32
By: Paul Goble
February 25, 2021 05:37 PM Age: 1 day
Moscow is alarmed by the expansion of Turkish influence in the Caspian region, most immediately by Turkey’s enthusiasm for trans-Caspian natural gas pipelines, something that could undercut Russia’s ability to dominate that market. In response, Russia has expanded its own naval activities in the Caspian to signal that it remains a force to be reckoned with there because it could interrupt such flows by force (TRT Russian, February 23; KavkazGeoClub, February 16).
These Russian actions have, in turn, been concerning to Azerbaijan, the chief beneficiary of the expansion of Turkish influence in the Caspian region and a proponent of further trans-Caspian transit links with Central Asian countries. In response, Baku has directed its own naval force to prepare to defend pipelines and other energy infrastructure in the Caspian Sea from attack either by other countries or by non-state terrorists. Such preparations do not mean that any attacks are imminent, but they have their own dynamic, especially given that the Azerbaijani government has chosen to discuss them so publicly (Report.az, February 11; Kaspiyskiy Vestnik, February 18).
But Moscow has not limited its actions in the Caspian to its own forces. In recent weeks, it has held two exercises with Iranian ships in the central and southern portions of that sea, where most of the hydrocarbon fields and energy infrastructure between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan exist. It has been able to do so because Tehran is at least as worried about the implications of growing Turkish influence in the region as Moscow is (Caucasus Post, February 24; see EDM, February 18).
Iran does not have a significant fleet in the Caspian Sea or more generally—as measured by the number of ships, their size and their armaments. But earlier this month, Alireza Tangisiri, the commander of the naval forces of the Islamic Republic’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, announced that Tehran has begun building larger and more heavily armed vessels, which will help make Iran a true naval power (Vzglyad, February 12). Most Russian analysts have dismissed this as Iranian braggadocio, but they have nonetheless suggested that Moscow could benefit from such a development. In the Persian Gulf, a larger Iranian presence would reduce the burden on the Russian navy to counter the United States fleet; and in the Caspian, a larger Iranian force could limit the spread of Turkish influence and provide protection to the north-south trade route that Russia and Iran both favor. As a result, some in Moscow are now asking what Russian shipbuilding industry could do to help Tehran (Vzglyad, February 20), despite the fact that Russia’s own shipyards are deeply troubled (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, December 17 2020).
In a new Vzglyad commentary, Moscow security analyst Aleksandr Timokhin writes that, from many points of view, the current moment seems propitious for such cooperation. Moscow could provide Iran not only with important components for its navy but also, if Tehran were interested, with finished ships. Iran has already purchased three Russian-produced submarines and, thus, has experience with Russian yards and equipment (Vzglyad, February 20). He focuses on the advantages that a larger Iranian navy would give Russia in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, allowing Moscow to “delegate” to the Iranians part of the task of containing the US that, “crudely speaking,” the Russian navy does not have sufficient strength to do on its own. But it seems clear that the Russian analyst is also interested in seeing Iran develop its naval presence, albeit within limits, northward. Moscow would like the Iranian fleet there to be strong enough to help Russia contain Turkey but not so strong as to be in a position to promote Tehran’s plans for an expanded Iranian empire including “Armenia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and other” lands to its north.
That is not the only factor limiting the expansion of such cooperation, Timokhin contends. Iran wants to develop its own shipbuilding industry rather than being forced to rely on Russia, especially given that Tehran remembers well that in the 1990s, Moscow, under pressure from the West, stopped supplying the Iranian navy. At least some Iranians fear that this could happen again, and they do not want to put themselves at risk. But at the same time, other Iranians, aware of the limitations of their national yards, are interested in speaking with the Russians or even the Chinese—and their conversations with Beijing in this regard may be another reason for Moscow to seek to promote its own services. According to Timokhin, the possibilities of a massive Russian assistance program for the development of the Iranian navy are thus quite limited, although some moves in that direction may be possible. If worries about Turkey over Caspian routes or east-west tensions intensify, Moscow is likely to try to secure Tehran’s agreement for a tighter relationship than it now wants.
One sign Moscow may be moving in that direction is the revival of talk about an even more gigantic project involving Russia and Iran: the possible construction of a 7,200-kilometer-long canal across Iran that would carry cargo and allow for the movement of ships between the Caspian and the Persian Gulf. Conversations among Russians, Iranians and Indians about such a project have been on-again, off-again throughout the last five years (Vzglyad, April 8, 2016 and Kavkaz Uzel, November 1, 2018); but now, some observers suggest these discussions may take off, which could benefit Russia and Iran in two important ways (Kavkaz Uzel, February 16).
On the one hand, such a canal would be a boon to north-south trade and undercut Turkey’s east-west projects. And on the other hand, it would allow Iran’s navy to move ships from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian in the event of need, just as Russia has moved ships from the Caspian to the Sea of Azov to pressure Ukraine (see EDM, May 31, 2018 and November 27, 2018). But even if neither of these Russian projects bear fruit, they highlight the fact that Moscow’s contest with Turkey in the Caucasus not only involves Iran but has gone to sea, adding a new dimension to this geopolitical competition.
Moscow Expanding Ties With Iran to Counter Growing Turkish Influence Around Caspian - Jamestown
Last edited:
jward
passin' thru
Explosion strikes Israeli-owned ship in Mideast amid tension
An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran
An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. File Photo Reuters
An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
The crew and vessel were safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy. The explosion forced the vessel to head to the nearest port.
The site of the blast, the Gulf of Oman, saw a series of explosions in 2019 that the U.S. Navy blamed on Iran against the backdrop of steeply rising threats between former President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders. Tehran denied the accusations, which came amid heightened tensions over Tehran's tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
Dryad Global, a maritime intelligence firm, identified the vessel as the MV Helios Ray, a Bahaman-flagged roll-on, roll-off vehicle cargo ship. Another private security official, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, similarly identified the ship as the Helios Ray.
Satellite-tracking data from website MarineTraffic.com showed the Helios Ray had been nearly entering the Arabian Sea around 0600 GMT Friday before it suddenly turned around and began heading back toward the Strait of Hormuz. It still listed Singapore as its destination on its tracker.
A United Nations ship database identified the vessel's owners as a Tel Aviv-based firm called Ray Shipping Ltd. Calls to Ray Shipping rang unanswered Friday.
The U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet was ``aware and monitoring'' the situation, Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich told The Associated Press. She declined to immediately comment further.
While the circumstances of the explosion remain unclear, Dryad Global, said it was very possible the blast stemmed from ``asymmetric activity by Iranian military.``
As Iran seeks to pressure the United States to lift sanctions and return to the 2015 atomic accord, the country may seek ``to exercise forceful diplomacy through military means,'' the Dryad report said.
Iran did not immediately acknowledge the incident.
In the summer of 2019, the U.S. military blamed Iran for suspected attacks on two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategic shipping lanes.
The explosions came after the U.S. attributed a series of confrontations in the region to Iran, including the use of limpet mines - designed to be attached magnetically to a ship's hull - to attack four oil tankers off the nearby Emirati port of Fujairah, and the bombing of an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia by Iranian-backed fighters.
Hostilities between the nations escalated after Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear accord and reimposition of harsh sanctions on Iran.
In response, Iran has gradually and publicly breached the nuclear deal with world powers to create leverage over Washington to return to the deal, which saw Tehran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of crippling sanctions.
english.ahram.org.eg
An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran
An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. File Photo Reuters
An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
The crew and vessel were safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy. The explosion forced the vessel to head to the nearest port.
The site of the blast, the Gulf of Oman, saw a series of explosions in 2019 that the U.S. Navy blamed on Iran against the backdrop of steeply rising threats between former President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders. Tehran denied the accusations, which came amid heightened tensions over Tehran's tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
Dryad Global, a maritime intelligence firm, identified the vessel as the MV Helios Ray, a Bahaman-flagged roll-on, roll-off vehicle cargo ship. Another private security official, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, similarly identified the ship as the Helios Ray.
Satellite-tracking data from website MarineTraffic.com showed the Helios Ray had been nearly entering the Arabian Sea around 0600 GMT Friday before it suddenly turned around and began heading back toward the Strait of Hormuz. It still listed Singapore as its destination on its tracker.
A United Nations ship database identified the vessel's owners as a Tel Aviv-based firm called Ray Shipping Ltd. Calls to Ray Shipping rang unanswered Friday.
The U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet was ``aware and monitoring'' the situation, Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich told The Associated Press. She declined to immediately comment further.
While the circumstances of the explosion remain unclear, Dryad Global, said it was very possible the blast stemmed from ``asymmetric activity by Iranian military.``
As Iran seeks to pressure the United States to lift sanctions and return to the 2015 atomic accord, the country may seek ``to exercise forceful diplomacy through military means,'' the Dryad report said.
Iran did not immediately acknowledge the incident.
In the summer of 2019, the U.S. military blamed Iran for suspected attacks on two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategic shipping lanes.
The explosions came after the U.S. attributed a series of confrontations in the region to Iran, including the use of limpet mines - designed to be attached magnetically to a ship's hull - to attack four oil tankers off the nearby Emirati port of Fujairah, and the bombing of an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia by Iranian-backed fighters.
Hostilities between the nations escalated after Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear accord and reimposition of harsh sanctions on Iran.
In response, Iran has gradually and publicly breached the nuclear deal with world powers to create leverage over Washington to return to the deal, which saw Tehran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of crippling sanctions.
Explosion strikes Israeli-owned ship in Mideast amid tension - Region - World
An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran
english.ahram.org.eg
northern watch
TB Fanatic
Preparing for Iran? Israeli Air Force Trains in India
February 26, 2021
Israel Radar
Air Force exercise in India suggests that IDF is preparing for operations in unfamiliar remote locations such as Iran.
Hercules transport planes (Archive: Pixabay)
The Israeli Air Force participated in a military exercise in India this week, Israel Hayom daily reported on Friday. This is the first time that the IDF censor clears reports about Air Force training on Indian soil.
As part of the drill, an IDF transport aircraft flew at unusual altitudes and carried out challenging maneuvers, the report said. No further details were provided about the nature and purpose of the exercise.
The Israeli aircraft also performed several flights together with Indian transport airplanes.
Notably, the 103rd Squadron of the Israeli Air Force operates seven advanced C-130J Super Hercules planes. The aircraft can be used for diverse missions, including long-range supply assignments and rescue operations.
Why is IDF training in India?
The rare exercise raises questions about the reasons prompting the IDF to train in a remote location like India. While the Air Force has been training in other countries and preparing for long-distance missions, such sessions are usually held closer to home.
One option is that the army needed to simulate operations in a specific type of terrain unavailable in Israel. However, the Air Force has been training in nearby Cyprus to simulate scenarios relevant for a war in Lebanon.
This suggests that India was possibly selected to mimic a different kind of landscape. Given Israel’s threat environment, training in areas resembling Iranian territory is a top priority.
Another option is that the Air Force wanted to practice long-range operations. India’s huge size also makes it ideal for this type of training. In this case, too, an Iran connection would be a highly relevant possibility.
An Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites would heavily rely on Air Force fighter jets and reconnaissance planes. However, transport planes may be used for specific missions such as the deployment of special forces on the ground or a large-scale rescue operation .
Preparing for Iran? Israeli Air Force Trains in India (israelradar.com)
February 26, 2021
Israel Radar
Air Force exercise in India suggests that IDF is preparing for operations in unfamiliar remote locations such as Iran.
Hercules transport planes (Archive: Pixabay)
The Israeli Air Force participated in a military exercise in India this week, Israel Hayom daily reported on Friday. This is the first time that the IDF censor clears reports about Air Force training on Indian soil.
As part of the drill, an IDF transport aircraft flew at unusual altitudes and carried out challenging maneuvers, the report said. No further details were provided about the nature and purpose of the exercise.
The Israeli aircraft also performed several flights together with Indian transport airplanes.
Notably, the 103rd Squadron of the Israeli Air Force operates seven advanced C-130J Super Hercules planes. The aircraft can be used for diverse missions, including long-range supply assignments and rescue operations.
Why is IDF training in India?
The rare exercise raises questions about the reasons prompting the IDF to train in a remote location like India. While the Air Force has been training in other countries and preparing for long-distance missions, such sessions are usually held closer to home.
One option is that the army needed to simulate operations in a specific type of terrain unavailable in Israel. However, the Air Force has been training in nearby Cyprus to simulate scenarios relevant for a war in Lebanon.
This suggests that India was possibly selected to mimic a different kind of landscape. Given Israel’s threat environment, training in areas resembling Iranian territory is a top priority.
Another option is that the Air Force wanted to practice long-range operations. India’s huge size also makes it ideal for this type of training. In this case, too, an Iran connection would be a highly relevant possibility.
An Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites would heavily rely on Air Force fighter jets and reconnaissance planes. However, transport planes may be used for specific missions such as the deployment of special forces on the ground or a large-scale rescue operation .
Preparing for Iran? Israeli Air Force Trains in India (israelradar.com)
northern watch
TB Fanatic
northern watch
TB Fanatic
New Arab-Israeli Alliance Threatens Iran Regime
October 20, 2020
Israel Radar
Israel-UAE-Bahrain coalition a nightmare for Iran; early signs suggest that Arab-Israeli alliance will pose aggressive challenge to Tehran.
Arab-Israeli alliance nightmare for Iran (Photo: Unsplash)
An Arab-Israeli military alliance against Iran is naturally a sensitive issue, to be discussed behind closed doors. However, indications are growing that a united front is taking shape, and that it could be more aggressive than expected.
Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have been quietly cooperating on security issues for years. But after signing recent peace agreements, the three allies are now ready to take their battle against Iran to the next level.
A senior Bahraini official told Makor Rishon weekly that discussions are underway for a defense agreement with Israel. The pact will stipulate that Israel and Bahrain will assist each other in case of a conflict with a third country, he said.
The unnamed official did not specifically mention Iran, but Tehran will no doubt be the focus of any defense pact. A mutual pledge to offer active support in case of a military conflict with Iran could carry dramatic implications.
Meanwhile, the president of Bahrain’s journalists association issued a veiled threat to Tehran in an op-ed for Israel Hayom daily.
Israel and Bahrain are strong enough to ultimately “eradicate their enemies,” Ahdeya Alsayed wrote, warning that Iran and other radical elements will aim to derail peace efforts. She also predicted the downfall of “evil forces” in the region, asserting that extremist regimes and ideologies have no place in the Middle East.
The unusually blunt tone suggests ambitious intentions that could directly challenge Iran and threaten the very survival of the regime. This message, which likely reflects the views of Bahrain’s leaders, will cause great concern in Tehran.
Ideal base for Iran strike
Like Bahrain, the UAE also views Iran as a major threat. However, Emirati officials are careful to avoid friction or provocations given the close ties between the countries and the large local Iranian community.
Still, a senior Emirati official acknowledged that Iran’s “aggressive policies” were a key factor in advancing ties with Israel.
Moreover, he urged Israel to view the relationship “strategically” and look beyond the short term. While his comments were general, they also apply to the security sphere and to a long-term vision for countering Iran.
Meanwhile, a counter-terrorism official in Dubai called for close cooperation in fighting terrorists. Israel and UAE should pool all their resources to tackle terror threats across the region, Dr. Ali al-Nuaimi told The Jerusalem Post. Iran’s terror proxies will surely be a high priority in these efforts.
Given the intricate and nuanced UAE-Iran dynamic, Dubai currently prefers to counter Tehran through diplomatic measures. Hence, Emirati officials may not wish to rush into a strategic military partnership with Israel, says former IDF intelligence officer Danny Citrinowicz.
However, the UAE’s limited defense capabilities suggest that a higher threat level could eventually prompt stronger cooperation.
Israeli jets in UAE? (Archive: Peter R. Foster IDMA/Shutterstock.com)
Initially, such Arab-Israeli alliance could focus on soft power options such as diplomacy and technological projects, Citrinowicz wrote. But later on, Israel and UAE could join forces in more aggressive moves, including cyber attacks and collaborating on a strike to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites.
A joint effort to execute a military strike could be a critical factor according to another analysis, especially if Israel uses UAE bases to launch an attack. This would greatly simplify the logistics of IDF operations and boost its chances of success.
Moreover, Israel could use UAE bases to collect valuable intelligence and enable emergency landings of fighter jets if necessary.
Iran’s regional status at risk
Overall, the Arab-Israeli alliance has a strong potential to shift the regional balance of power, analyst Sina Azodi observed. This possibility is liable to increase Iran’s sense of insecurity, he wrote.
The new coalition constitutes a “strategic nightmare” for Iran, an article in Foreign Policy magazine argued recently. Tehran is particularly alarmed to see Israel gaining a foothold in immediate proximity to Iran’s borders.
UAE has already expressed an interest in acquiring Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, Azodi noted. Moreover, a senior IDF officer hinted that Israel could also deploy an advanced radar right on Iran’s doorstep.
Iran’s growing concerns are prompting angry reactions and threats from Tehran. Most recently, Defense Minister Amir Hatami warned that the new Arab-Israeli alliance undermines the security situation in the Gulf. Any threat posed by Israel in the area will be met with a “clear and direct response,” he vowed.
However, Iran faces a difficult predicament as it weighs its options. Empty rhetoric is bound to make little impact, but aggressive moves will alarm Tehran’s anxious neighbors and likely encourage closer cooperation with Israel.
One way or another, Iran’s leaders will need to come up with answers to prevent a dangerous erosion in Tehran’s regional status. Ultimately, a weaker Iran could spell the end of the Ayatollah regime.
New Arab-Israeli Alliance Threatens Iran Regime (israelradar.com)
October 20, 2020
Israel Radar
Israel-UAE-Bahrain coalition a nightmare for Iran; early signs suggest that Arab-Israeli alliance will pose aggressive challenge to Tehran.
Arab-Israeli alliance nightmare for Iran (Photo: Unsplash)
An Arab-Israeli military alliance against Iran is naturally a sensitive issue, to be discussed behind closed doors. However, indications are growing that a united front is taking shape, and that it could be more aggressive than expected.
Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have been quietly cooperating on security issues for years. But after signing recent peace agreements, the three allies are now ready to take their battle against Iran to the next level.
A senior Bahraini official told Makor Rishon weekly that discussions are underway for a defense agreement with Israel. The pact will stipulate that Israel and Bahrain will assist each other in case of a conflict with a third country, he said.
The unnamed official did not specifically mention Iran, but Tehran will no doubt be the focus of any defense pact. A mutual pledge to offer active support in case of a military conflict with Iran could carry dramatic implications.
Meanwhile, the president of Bahrain’s journalists association issued a veiled threat to Tehran in an op-ed for Israel Hayom daily.
Israel and Bahrain are strong enough to ultimately “eradicate their enemies,” Ahdeya Alsayed wrote, warning that Iran and other radical elements will aim to derail peace efforts. She also predicted the downfall of “evil forces” in the region, asserting that extremist regimes and ideologies have no place in the Middle East.
The unusually blunt tone suggests ambitious intentions that could directly challenge Iran and threaten the very survival of the regime. This message, which likely reflects the views of Bahrain’s leaders, will cause great concern in Tehran.
Ideal base for Iran strike
Like Bahrain, the UAE also views Iran as a major threat. However, Emirati officials are careful to avoid friction or provocations given the close ties between the countries and the large local Iranian community.
Still, a senior Emirati official acknowledged that Iran’s “aggressive policies” were a key factor in advancing ties with Israel.
Moreover, he urged Israel to view the relationship “strategically” and look beyond the short term. While his comments were general, they also apply to the security sphere and to a long-term vision for countering Iran.
Meanwhile, a counter-terrorism official in Dubai called for close cooperation in fighting terrorists. Israel and UAE should pool all their resources to tackle terror threats across the region, Dr. Ali al-Nuaimi told The Jerusalem Post. Iran’s terror proxies will surely be a high priority in these efforts.
Given the intricate and nuanced UAE-Iran dynamic, Dubai currently prefers to counter Tehran through diplomatic measures. Hence, Emirati officials may not wish to rush into a strategic military partnership with Israel, says former IDF intelligence officer Danny Citrinowicz.
However, the UAE’s limited defense capabilities suggest that a higher threat level could eventually prompt stronger cooperation.
Israeli jets in UAE? (Archive: Peter R. Foster IDMA/Shutterstock.com)
Initially, such Arab-Israeli alliance could focus on soft power options such as diplomacy and technological projects, Citrinowicz wrote. But later on, Israel and UAE could join forces in more aggressive moves, including cyber attacks and collaborating on a strike to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites.
A joint effort to execute a military strike could be a critical factor according to another analysis, especially if Israel uses UAE bases to launch an attack. This would greatly simplify the logistics of IDF operations and boost its chances of success.
Moreover, Israel could use UAE bases to collect valuable intelligence and enable emergency landings of fighter jets if necessary.
Iran’s regional status at risk
Overall, the Arab-Israeli alliance has a strong potential to shift the regional balance of power, analyst Sina Azodi observed. This possibility is liable to increase Iran’s sense of insecurity, he wrote.
The new coalition constitutes a “strategic nightmare” for Iran, an article in Foreign Policy magazine argued recently. Tehran is particularly alarmed to see Israel gaining a foothold in immediate proximity to Iran’s borders.
UAE has already expressed an interest in acquiring Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, Azodi noted. Moreover, a senior IDF officer hinted that Israel could also deploy an advanced radar right on Iran’s doorstep.
Iran’s growing concerns are prompting angry reactions and threats from Tehran. Most recently, Defense Minister Amir Hatami warned that the new Arab-Israeli alliance undermines the security situation in the Gulf. Any threat posed by Israel in the area will be met with a “clear and direct response,” he vowed.
However, Iran faces a difficult predicament as it weighs its options. Empty rhetoric is bound to make little impact, but aggressive moves will alarm Tehran’s anxious neighbors and likely encourage closer cooperation with Israel.
One way or another, Iran’s leaders will need to come up with answers to prevent a dangerous erosion in Tehran’s regional status. Ultimately, a weaker Iran could spell the end of the Ayatollah regime.
New Arab-Israeli Alliance Threatens Iran Regime (israelradar.com)
northern watch
TB Fanatic
Israel Changes Military Deployment on Lebanon Border
February 26, 2021
Israel Radar
IDF upgrades military deployment on Lebanon border to boost firepower, prepare for potential battle with Hezbollah.
New military deployment on Lebanon border (Archive: IDF/Creative Commons)
Israel adjusted its troop deployment and response to threats on the Lebanon border to prepare for a clash with Hezbollah. The IDF took significant steps to boost its readiness for a military conflict, senior officers told The Jerusalem Post.
The army formed new units with infantry forces, missile batteries and tanks to increase available firepower in case of a clash, the report said. The move will enable the IDF to launch more significant retaliation attacks in case Hezbollah strikes.
The IDF also created new protocols of cooperation between infantry, Air Force and Navy units for quicker response to incidents. Both the Air Force and Navy are expected to play a significant role in a future conflict in Lebanon.
Previously, a senior officer said that the IDF is preparing “surprises” for Hezbollah in case it launches raids into Israel.
Special intelligence unit
The IDF also upgraded its surveillance capabilities to avoid sending forces to the border fence when possible. The army deployed a special combat intelligence battalion as part of these efforts. The unit uses diverse tools, including civilian drones upgraded by IDF engineers, the report said.
Notably, the intelligence battalion includes an all-female squad of expert drone operators. The IDF previously said that these female troops will enter Lebanon in case of war.
The IDF deployment was changed in recent months and tested in a large exercise in February, The Jerusalem Post said. The drill simulated multiple battle scenarios expected in a clash with Hezbollah. These included rocket attacks on military and civilian targets and a raid on a border community.
Following the exercise, Israel’s military chiefs met at the IDF’s Northern Command headquarters to review the army’s war plans. In parallel, the Air Force launched a surprise drill to test its readiness for an all-out war in Lebanon.
Israel Changes Military Deployment on Lebanon Border (israelradar.com)
February 26, 2021
Israel Radar
IDF upgrades military deployment on Lebanon border to boost firepower, prepare for potential battle with Hezbollah.
New military deployment on Lebanon border (Archive: IDF/Creative Commons)
Israel adjusted its troop deployment and response to threats on the Lebanon border to prepare for a clash with Hezbollah. The IDF took significant steps to boost its readiness for a military conflict, senior officers told The Jerusalem Post.
The army formed new units with infantry forces, missile batteries and tanks to increase available firepower in case of a clash, the report said. The move will enable the IDF to launch more significant retaliation attacks in case Hezbollah strikes.
The IDF also created new protocols of cooperation between infantry, Air Force and Navy units for quicker response to incidents. Both the Air Force and Navy are expected to play a significant role in a future conflict in Lebanon.
Previously, a senior officer said that the IDF is preparing “surprises” for Hezbollah in case it launches raids into Israel.
Special intelligence unit
The IDF also upgraded its surveillance capabilities to avoid sending forces to the border fence when possible. The army deployed a special combat intelligence battalion as part of these efforts. The unit uses diverse tools, including civilian drones upgraded by IDF engineers, the report said.
Notably, the intelligence battalion includes an all-female squad of expert drone operators. The IDF previously said that these female troops will enter Lebanon in case of war.
The IDF deployment was changed in recent months and tested in a large exercise in February, The Jerusalem Post said. The drill simulated multiple battle scenarios expected in a clash with Hezbollah. These included rocket attacks on military and civilian targets and a raid on a border community.
Following the exercise, Israel’s military chiefs met at the IDF’s Northern Command headquarters to review the army’s war plans. In parallel, the Air Force launched a surprise drill to test its readiness for an all-out war in Lebanon.
Israel Changes Military Deployment on Lebanon Border (israelradar.com)
jward
passin' thru
more photos. A possible a response to the news of the defense alliance taking shape? :: shrug :: Pours coffee :: 
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian
@manniefabian
Photos of the damage caused to the Israeli-owned vessel in the Gulf of Oman (via
@Ambrey_Intel
)
View: https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1365348818594779137?s=20
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian
@manniefabian
Photos of the damage caused to the Israeli-owned vessel in the Gulf of Oman (via
@Ambrey_Intel
)
View: https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1365348818594779137?s=20
more photos. A possible a response to the news of the defense alliance taking shape? :: shrug :: Pours coffee ::
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian
@manniefabian
Photos of the damage caused to the Israeli-owned vessel in the Gulf of Oman (via
@Ambrey_Intel
)
View: https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1365348818594779137?s=20
Hummm....self forming penetrator of some kind I guess. Good thing the ship's drive on drive off holds were empty.
jward
passin' thru
..caused by missiles or sea mines..so we know as much, or as lil, as they claim they know. Would Israel bother to fabricate this as an extra justification for heavy handed response to Iran n/or it's mini-mes? Surely for those who need a legal case, it's been made, and for the others, no such case will ever be enough?..
February 27, 2021
Iran deliberately attacked Israeli-owned ship, defense sources say; security services collecting intelligence before deciding on next move.
Israel blames Iran for cargo ship explosion (Archive: Pixabay)
Iran is behind an explosion that rocked an Israeli-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, senior Israeli sources say. The vessel’s owner claims that the blast was caused by missiles or sea mines, news website Ynet reported.
Defense officials estimate that Iran specifically targeted an Israeli-owned ship as a signal to Israel, Maariv daily reported. The attack left several holes on both sides of the vessel, a US security source told Reuters. At this point it’s unclear whether the attackers aimed to sink the ship and failed.
The explosion occurred on Thursday but was only reported a day later. There were no injuries in the incident and the cargo ship, which was transporting vehicles, returned to port safely.
Israel’s defense establishment is closely monitoring the situation and holding secret discussions to determine the next steps, Ynet reported. At this time, the security services are collecting intelligence to clarify the details of the attack, the report said.
Will Israel retaliate?
The incident raises concern that Iran could open a new front against Israel by targeting the maritime shipping industry. Previous warnings pointed to Israeli ships sailing in the Red Sea as a potential target for Tehran and its proxies, especially the Houthis in Yemen.
Notably, IDF warships already sail far from Israel’s shores to protect vessels in the Red Sea. However, attacks on cargo ships closer to the Persian Gulf will require Israel to come up with new security measures and solutions.
Iranian attacks on Israeli ships could also trigger retaliation, which can come in different forms. Notably, a large cyber attack in Iranian ports last year was attributed to Israel. However, there was no official confirmation from the IDF about this or similar cyber operations.
posted for fair use
israelradar.com
~~~~~~~
Israel Blames Iran for Ship Explosion in Gulf of OmanFebruary 27, 2021
Iran deliberately attacked Israeli-owned ship, defense sources say; security services collecting intelligence before deciding on next move.
Iran is behind an explosion that rocked an Israeli-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, senior Israeli sources say. The vessel’s owner claims that the blast was caused by missiles or sea mines, news website Ynet reported.
Defense officials estimate that Iran specifically targeted an Israeli-owned ship as a signal to Israel, Maariv daily reported. The attack left several holes on both sides of the vessel, a US security source told Reuters. At this point it’s unclear whether the attackers aimed to sink the ship and failed.
The explosion occurred on Thursday but was only reported a day later. There were no injuries in the incident and the cargo ship, which was transporting vehicles, returned to port safely.
Israel’s defense establishment is closely monitoring the situation and holding secret discussions to determine the next steps, Ynet reported. At this time, the security services are collecting intelligence to clarify the details of the attack, the report said.
Will Israel retaliate?
The incident raises concern that Iran could open a new front against Israel by targeting the maritime shipping industry. Previous warnings pointed to Israeli ships sailing in the Red Sea as a potential target for Tehran and its proxies, especially the Houthis in Yemen.
Notably, IDF warships already sail far from Israel’s shores to protect vessels in the Red Sea. However, attacks on cargo ships closer to the Persian Gulf will require Israel to come up with new security measures and solutions.
Iranian attacks on Israeli ships could also trigger retaliation, which can come in different forms. Notably, a large cyber attack in Iranian ports last year was attributed to Israel. However, there was no official confirmation from the IDF about this or similar cyber operations.
posted for fair use
Israel Blames Iran for Ship Explosion in Gulf of Oman
Iran deliberately attacked Israeli-owned ship, defense sources say; security services collecting intelligence before deciding on next move. Iran is … Israel Blames Iran for Ship Explosion in Gulf of Oman Read More »
israelradar.com
jward
passin' thru
Doge
@IntelDoge
3m
Israel's Kan11 reports Israeli officials say the attack crossed a "red line" because the ship was a civilian ship and not a military target.
Doge
@IntelDoge
UPDATE: Per Israeli media, Israel assesses that the Iranian Navy fired two missiles towards the Israeli-owned vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Team heading to Dubai to investigate the attack. (ht
@manniefabian
)
12:12 PM · Feb 27, 2021·Twitter for Android
jward
passin' thru
Doge
@IntelDoge
6m
Breaking: Initial reports suggest the Coalition has intercepted a ballistic missile over Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
+++++++++++
jr_bedel
@BedelJr
· 7m
Replying to @no_itsmyturn and @ELINTNews
In Riyadh right now. My apartment SHOOK. This one hit close. There were multiple explosions felt. 3-4 at least
_____________
Aleph א
@no_itsmyturn
3m
#Iran-backed Houthi's ballistic missile intercepted over #Riyadh #SaudiArabia
View: https://twitter.com/no_itsmyturn/status/1365729536495738887?s=20
Doge
@IntelDoge
6m
Breaking: Initial reports suggest the Coalition has intercepted a ballistic missile over Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
+++++++++++
jr_bedel
@BedelJr
· 7m
Replying to @no_itsmyturn and @ELINTNews
In Riyadh right now. My apartment SHOOK. This one hit close. There were multiple explosions felt. 3-4 at least
_____________
Aleph א
@no_itsmyturn
3m
#Iran-backed Houthi's ballistic missile intercepted over #Riyadh #SaudiArabia
View: https://twitter.com/no_itsmyturn/status/1365729536495738887?s=20
That the "Houthi rebels" in Yemen can still throw product improved SCUDs all the way across the Arabian Peninsula to the Saudi capital after all of these years says more than a little about either their technical prowess or the amount of support the IRGC is giving them and getting into Yemen.
Yup, it is shaping up to be a long and loud weekend.....Merde.