Largest ever fleet of warships mustered in Persian Gulf

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
9/18/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Israel expected to strike Iran before November.

The drumbeat of war is sounding louder as Israel inches closer to the precipice. Meanwhile a massive armada of American and British warships is concentrating in the gulf, containing multiples more firepower that Iran could ever muster. Experts think this is a prelude to conflict with Israel poised to strike before November.

A US carried battle fleet in this file photo.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The US has mustered three carrier battle fleets and the British have several supporting ships including minesweepers, a new Type 45 destroyer, and they have a second fleet ready in the Eastern Mediterranean that can arrive to support the Gulf fleets within a matter of days. That second fleet contains the French aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle and the British HMS Illustrious.

Each of the three Nimitz class carriers has more airplanes than the entire Iranian Airforce.

Ostensibly, the concentration of firepower is to conduct the largest wargames yet, as a show of force against a defiant Iranian Republic that western intelligence forces say is on the brink of developing a working nuclear weapon.

Thousands of marines and special forces troops are also on hand.

The wargames include cooperation and contributions from more than 25 nations including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and France.

However, the mustering of force is unusual in size, and its use as a warning to the Islamic Republic is clear. In the words of Oliver Cromwell, "A man-o'-war makes the best ambassador."

Iran has already scheduled their wargames for next month, as a response to the allied threat. Iran has modern radar installations, unmanned drones, and missiles that can shoot down aircraft and ships. Perhaps most potently, Iran has swarms of small fast attack boats ready that can be used in near-suicide attacks on allied fleets. By virtue of sheer numbers, allied casualties are assured.

So should conflict erupt, both sides can expect heavy losses with Iran losing the most. However, it would remain to be seen just how the conflict would play out over the long term. Few can say if Iran's nuclear capabilities would be damaged, now that most of their assets are sheltered in bunkers so deep no Israeli bomb can hit them, and other assets are likely dispersed where they cannot be found or hit. Iran has had plenty of time to prepare.

Still, Israel cannot tolerate a nuclear armed Iran. The Islamic Republic represents an existential threat to the Jewish nation as Iran's leaders have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel and their special forces have trained and supported terrorist strikes on the country.

For their part, both the US and Britain have tried very hard to persuade Israel to hold off an making any attack at all. Not only because such an attack might be costly and produce limited results, but also because it could affect the outcome of the US political elections in November.

Israel is refusing to wait because no other power has suggested what the decision point, or "red line" with Iran would be. These red lines would be automatic triggers for military action, and none have been articulated publicly. Without such assurances, Israel is now refusing to wait.

Conflict in the region is not exactly guaranteed, but one would have to be very na�ve to assume that it isn't likely. Iran still refuses to cooperate with international inspectors and demands, while Israel feels it is out of time. Committed and caught in the middle are the allied powers whose fleets must respond to any possible retaliation against oil moving through the Persian Gulf.

For now, it seems that Israel gets to decide if the wargames move forward as planned or if their contingent becomes part of a full scale combat force. One thing is certain: wargames or not, this is not a game for those at sea in the Persian Gulf.

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Iran, Israel, war games, Persian Gulf, fleets, conflict

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1 - 10 of 16 Comments

Gord
8 months ago
One thing that has not gotten a lot of press is that Canada has kicked out all Iranian diplomats, and brought home all Canadian diplomats just last week...The Writing is on The Wall.
Theresa H.
8 months ago
Wulfrano, we don't need Iran's oil--we have plenty in the USA! For the rest: and "there will be war and rumours of war" (Mt 24:6ff)--like never before! Oh, God, what have we done--with all these arsenals we have created, that when leashed leave behind nothing but devastation and self-destruction--have mercy on us and deliver us from this evil! Yes, and we must listen to Our Lady of Fatima!
JoAnn
8 months ago
Prophecy says war will begin in the Euphrates River region and 1/3 of mankind will be destroyed. Rev. 9:13-15 It IS coming folks, keep praying. God bless.
Judy Claar
8 months ago
@Johnny: Very observant!

@Steve: Catholics live in the world, but are not of the world. Therefore, Catholics must be knowledgeable about their surroundings and the world they live in, seeing how they can better live their Faith, while also, continuously learning and practicing that Faith which leads them to Jesus and Eternity. By reading the news articles and the posts, you will learn more about yourself and your Faith. It is not a rush seminar. Also, you will hear of books to read, as carolyn mentioned, plus Daily Readings, Homily's, Saints, Mary etc. This is only one part of CO. (News.)

Enjoy COs many introductions and opportunities to grow. I have read all of the older printed material on Fatima. But I did not know that a new book was out. Fatima is very interesting. Especially connecting worldly thoughts and ideas to the spiritual. Relax. Enjoy the Journey!
carolyn
8 months ago
Steve, It has to do with what the Blessed Mother says about peace in the world and what she asked us to do to avoid war. The message is for all people, not just Catholics, that peace would require prayer, penance and amendment of life. Read about Our Lady of Fatima and what she says about praying the Rosary to obtain peace. The peace of the world is in the hands and heart of Mary, because that is where Jesus places it. We need her help and intercession. I am reading a book titled Fatima for Today, by Fr Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R. This is the first time I am reading anything on Fatima. I wish I would have sooner. It shown me how Mary has had an influence in the world and what we need to do to acquire peace. Pray!
abey
8 months ago
In Biblical terms, man-o-wars which are to power & might, portrayed by the mother/daughter combine are never to any permanent solution, for no power & might can go against the Spirit as stated "It is not by might neither by power but by my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts. The height of foolishness is to be oversensitive to a people & undersensitive to their God, for the very meaning & purpose of a chosen people is to Glorify the God, that which is not seen today in their secular credentials, to this Israel.
Greg
8 months ago
Thank you for the information. Now, I would love to have a twist - something I would expect to find in a Catholic place - What we can do, and how these things can make me fall even more in Love for Christ, His Church, and all the people including Iranians and Jewish.
DarthJ
8 months ago
I think analyzing Netanyahu's body language is a little absurd. He is obviously very frustrated with Obama. But a war on Iran would serve no purpose- it would not be a Christian Crusade, it would be another Iraq. We do no evangelizing, but rather just have a hollow occupation resulting in far too many deaths.
Wulfrano Ruiz Sainz
8 months ago
I think Iran should surrender now and deliver its oil wells to the USA. Otherwise it's WWIII!
Col
8 months ago
When you have Israel , armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons , this state of affairs is not healthy to say the least. The only way Israel can now neutralize Iran is through a limited nuclear attack on certain installations as conventional attacks will be useless as facilities reburied deep in mountain bunkers . They will need to take out mountains.

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