Iran’s activities in the Persian Gulf area has everyone’s attention

| February 22, 2023

It’s not just what they’re doing with a nuclear program, it’s the other things that they are also doing. Iran is conducting nonproductive activities in relationship to other countries in the region, including the hostile use of drones. Last year, the Iranians tried to confiscate a Navy water drone, but the U.S. Navy “convinced” them to release the drone.

From the Navy Times:

While Cooper pointed to recent seizures of weapons by American and allied forces in the region as a success, he acknowledged that Iran has been able to carry out drone attacks targeting shipping in the Mideast and other assaults in the region.

“We’re focused on expanding our partnerships,” Cooper said on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi’s International Defense Exhibition and Conference. “The short answer is the Iranian actions have the attention of everyone.”

Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment over Cooper’s remarks.

The 5th Fleet patrols the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all oil transits. Its region also stretches as far as the Red Sea up to the Suez Canal, the waterway in Egypt linking the Mideast to the Mediterranean Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off Yemen.

Under Cooper’s command, which will end with the upcoming arrival of Rear Adm. George Wikoff in Bahrain, likely later this year, the 5th Fleet vastly expanded its use of drones and artificial intelligence to patrol those waterways.

Cooper said the Navy has reached the halfway mark of his goal to have 100 unmanned drones, both sailing and submersible, operating in the region with America’s allies. The Navy also conducted a drill Monday with the United Arab Emirates with the systems, he added.

But concerns about Iran have only grown in recent months as Tehran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels and has enough fissile material for several nuclear bombs if it chooses to build them.

The Navy Times has additional information here.

Category: International Affairs, Iran, Navy

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5JC

Fissile materials? unpossible! Biden clearly stated in 2015 that the nuke deal was dead, which could only mean it was alive. This is all Trump’s fault.

akpual

I believe Trump is responsible for WW1 too.

5JC

Duh, It is how he was able to create the Nazi Party.

akpual

And the Spanish flu which taught him how to create the Wuhan virus.

jeff LPH 3 63-66

I agree on all counts, plus he was responsible for the fall of the Roman Empire and didn’t see the iceberg while on watch onboard the Titanic.

KoB

“…expanding our partnerships,” “…20% of all oil transits…”

As the American Taxpayer continues to fund being the policeman to the world, let us not forget that the ME people have been killing one another since Cain picked up that rock. They have used every weapon ever developed to kill folks and will not stop until the last 2 left pick up a rock to try and kill one another. It’s past time that we got partners to defend the oil that the world needs…or just say phuque it and nuke the site from orbit. They want to meet Allah? Help ’em on their journey.

David

Didn’t need those oil transits for a few years…wonder what changed…