Finally Some One with a Pair of Balls

[GT93]

You've earned it.

[mech_401]

giggles is apparently away on a meditation retreat
at a forest temple. reflecting on kindness and goodwill towards others. tempering his ferocity

[Lone Star]

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CNN is reporting that ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf have been experiencing GPS interference and various other problems that US officials suspect is the work of the Iranians.

Ships have reported GPS interference, bridge-to-bridge communications spoofing, and jamming, among other problems.

A US defense official told CNN that the Iranians had jammers aimed at disrupting the GPS navigation systems on ships and aircraft so that they might wander into Iranian waters or airspace, justifying a seizure.

Explains quite a bit.

[Doodoo]

It sounds like it will explain why the information about the drone that the US shot down was never produced. Donny is still waiting

[GT93]

Hopefully Trump is watching some youtube videos on Iran since he doesn't read. I'd feel a bit more comfortable if he isn't totally winging it with his policies towards Iran.

[Lone Star]

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US military commanders in the Gulf were interviewed by the media in the last few days to discuss their role in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

Senior Navy commanders on the USS Abraham Lincoln, Captain William Reed the air wing commander and Captain Walter Slaughter, the carrier’s commanding officer, spoke of their mission and purpose.

Capt. Reed:

“Our goal is not to go to war with Iran. Our deterrence seeks to add to stability in the region, freedom of movement, and trade.

". . . a “great symbol of American presence in the Gulf, which in turn adds stability to the region."

There are 77 aircraft under Reed's command in the strike group, which include fighters, helicopter and other aircraft.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is part of the US Navy 5th Fleet, which oversees the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and the Arabian Sea.

Protecting the world’s oil flow. Who else has the capacity to do this other than the US? No one.

Over 21 million barrels of oil travel through the Strait every day, and it's a global issue. Despite Trump's belief that countries that use the Strait should protect their own oil tankers, the US provides the security and acts as a deterrent to Iran's efforts. China gets over 80% of its oil through the Strait. Japan gets over 50% of their oil through the Strait.

Despite Trump's concern that other countries aren't protecting their own, the US is using its military in ensure the free flow of commerce.

Captain Reed:

“We are ready to go, do that presence mission, in order to deter and not go to war with Iran.”

The USS Abraham Lincoln’s commanding officer, Captain Slaughter says their efforts are all about deterrence and the power the strike group has in the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln has over 5,000 crew members, and there are over 80 flights per day that take off and land on the carrier deck.

Slaughter admits that US presence hasn't totally stopped Iran from trying to escalate tensions, but Iran knows that the 5th Fleet is there.

What's the alternative? The US can leave and allow Iran to do anything they wish.

[jackspratt]

Gibraltar extends a large middle finger to the Trump administration - we can only wonder how this will impact the Blonde Buffoon's relationship with the Bloated Orange Bullshiiter.

Iran oil tanker: Gibraltar orders release of Grace 1

Gibraltar has freed an Iranian oil tanker detained last month on suspicion of sanctions-busting, despite a last-minute plea by the US authorities.

The UK territory received written assurances from Iran that the ship would not discharge its cargo in Syria.......

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49362182

Stand by for a full-frontal Giggly attack.

[Lone Star]

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Oh my.

Iran denies giving any assurances to Gibraltar. Iran says they never gave Gibraltar any assurances in order to gain a release of their tanker and called the release a "victory" for Tehran.

Iran claims that Gibraltar is only trying to save face.

[vlad]

Same Iranians that claimed Iranian gunboats Scared off a Billion pound destroyer that could have have blown them to pieces before they even sighted HMS Duncan.

[Giggle]

Clueless Britles duped again. How's that strength-through-weakness strategy working, girls?

[GT93]

The usual tune. It's getting a bit dull.

[Lone Star]

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Status of the Iranian tanker temporarily on hold.

The US has filed a warrant to have the tanker and almost $1 million in cash assets seized. As of Saturday, the tanker was still docked and awaiting a new crew.

Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar's chief minister, said that the US warrant and intervention would cause the case to return to the jurisdiction of Gibraltar’s Supreme Court. “It could go back to the court absolutely.”

[papafarang]

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Status of the Iranian tanker temporarily on hold.

The US has filed a warrant to have the tanker and almost $1 million in cash assets seized. As of Saturday, the tanker was still docked and awaiting a new crew.

Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar's chief minister, said that the US warrant and intervention would cause the case to return to the jurisdiction of Gibraltar’s Supreme Court. “It could go back to the court absolutely.”

Mr Picardo earlier told the BBC that the vessel would be able to leave as soon as the logistics had been figured out: "Could be today, could be tomorrow."

Neither Britain nor Gibraltar have responded to the US warrant

[Doodoo]

"World
Gibraltar rejects US pressure, says Iranian oil tanker free to go
USA TODAY John Bacon,USA TODAY 4 minutes 55 seconds ago"

Off she goes

[jackspratt]

There she goes!

The Iranian tanker caught in a stand-off between Tehran and the West has left Gibraltar, shipping data showed, hours after the British territory rejected a US request to detain the vessel for a longer period........

......... Gibraltar said on Sunday it could not comply with that request because it was bound by EU law.

"The EU sanctions regime against Iran, which is applicable in Gibraltar — is much narrower than that applicable in the US," the Government said in a statement.........

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-19/ ... t/11426274

[papafarang]

Gibraltar telling trump to jog on they got big cojones

[Giggle]

Meanwhile, in Iran ...


Iranian Revolutionary Guards patrolling around the Brit-flagged tanker Stena Impero.

[Lone Star]

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Authorities in Gibraltar wanted to make clear that they were not siding with a foe over an ally. Gibraltar could not comply with the US request as a matter of EU law.

Fabian Picardo, chief minister of Gibraltar:

Gibraltar considers the United States as a key ally. Nobody must think that we have sided with a foe and let down a friend. This became, in its last throes, not a political issue but a legal issue.”

[papafarang]

.

Authorities in Gibraltar wanted to make clear that they were not siding with a foe over an ally. Gibraltar could not comply with the US request as a matter of EU law.

Fabian Picardo, chief minister of Gibraltar:

Gibraltar considers the United States as a key ally. Nobody must think that we have sided with a foe and let down a friend. This became, in its last throes, not a political issue but a legal issue.”

yes US law not applicable in the EU

[Lone Star]

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia has announced that they will join the US and the UK in an international maritime coalition protecting oil tankers threatened by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.

Dubbed "Operation Sentinel," Australia will aid in ensuring that ships can navigate freely -- without restraint from hostile forces -- through international waters.