We, the citizens, are not the intended audience for much of what comes out of the White House. Foreign governments are. It may be a show of military or economic strength some times. It may be a show of good faith negotiation. It may be a demonstration of willingness to apply promised consequences.

I don't believe the Trump administration is blind to domestic election politics. They appear to genuinely be working towards the best long term outcomes even there are short term political costs.

I’ll admit I search “Iran war” every morning hoping to find an end to the uncertainty and am a bit disappointed nothing has changed. Looking at the half-full glass, that also means a nuclear weapon free Iran is still the status quo and Trump is maintaining his promise one day at a time.

US military fires missile to disable ship in Gulf of Oman,
(U.S. Marine Corps) A U.S. military aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into a ship’s engine room to prevent it from breaking through the American blockade of Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command said Saturday. U.S. forces on Friday issued more than 20 warnings to the Gambia-flagged ship M/V Lian Star as it cruised in international waters toward an Iranian port,

CENTCOM said in a statement. A U.S. aircraft fired the missile after the ship failed to comply. The ship was adrift in the Gulf of Oman, and U.S. forces had not boarded it, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. forces have disabled five commercial vessels and redirected 116 to fully enforce the blockade as a ceasefire with Iran remains in effect, CENTCOM said.

The U.S. launched the blockade on April 17 in response to Iran effectively closing the strait after the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28.

A fragile ceasefire has held since April 7. While both sides have expressed interest in broader peace talks, they remain divided on several key issues, including control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has repeatedly attacked commercial vessels in the strait, effectively closing a waterway that normally carries about a fifth of the world’s oil trade.

Meanwhile, an Iranian missile strike injured several Americans at a Kuwaiti air base, according to a report Saturday, the latest escalation that could further complicate efforts to end the U.S.-Iran war.

In a social media post Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would “make a final determination” on a peace deal during a meeting in the White House Situation Room.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theate...f-oman-21826428.html
Source - Stars and Stripes

I still don't understand the practical/equipment/personnel details of how the Iranian Muhammedans are able to open& close the Strait of Hormuz, like flipping a toggle switch.

I thought we destroyed their navy and air force, etc. in the first week.

I know, small boats, mines, shore-based missiles, drones, trebuchets, etc.

Is there a technical oriented website that explains this stuff?

I’m not sure why we don’t have complete control of the straits right now. Iran shouldn’t have a say in anything.

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:
I still don't understand the practical/equipment/personnel details of how the Iranian Muhammedans are able to open& close the Strait of Hormuz, like flipping a toggle switch.

I thought we destroyed their navy and air force, etc. in the first week.

I know, small boats, mines, shore-based missiles, drones, trebuchets, etc.

Is there a technical oriented website that explains this stuff?

I am also very confused on this point. How do we not own this patch of water, at least temporarily?

^^^Supposedly we have not located or sunken their 17-20 Ghadir-class midget submarines. Very hard to locate as they can basically just sit on the bottom.^^^

They keep claiming they have some previously unused and unknown secret wonder weapons that they'll unleash, but are waiting until they really need them.
Sort of reminds me of this old scene from Monty Python, the Black Knight.
He was just guarding a bridge, not the Straits of Hormuz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlYrn2bXsc4

We have had satellites overhead, reapers, X35, and probably things I don't know the name of or that even exist. Why don't we use the knowledge of where they've moved their weapons to and any remaining production capacity to give them a little love tap and see if it changes their stance on nuclear/straight/proxies? We are already locked and loaded as I've heard a number of times. Just a little friendly "hello" from the armed forces.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
We have had satellites overhead, reapers, X35, and probably things I don't know the name of or that even exist. Why don't we use the knowledge of where they've moved their weapons to and any remaining production capacity to give them a little love tap and see if it changes their stance on nuclear/straight/proxies? We are already locked and loaded as I've heard a number of times. Just a little friendly "hello" from the armed forces.

Perhaps we don't have to give them a love tap, but instead repeat history.

January 14th, we cleared the Iranian air space, active GPS jammed the area, and pizza orders to pizza joints near the Pentagon went through the roof. I believed an attack on Iran was imminent, but instead it was a feint to get the Iranians to move air defenses, troops, and key people while the US and Israel took notes. 6 weeks later, the current skirmish kicked off and we decimated them in the early hours partly due to the intelligence from the feint.

A week ago, air traffic was diverted from Iran, active GPS jamming took place, and there was a 300% spike in pizza orders to pizza joints near the Pentagon. I think the US and Israel just remapped/reconfirmed Iran's defenses and people locations.

Yes, the Pizza Index. Though a noticeable spike in pie orders mostly only alert the domestic media of possible big operations. Doubtful the Iranians would have insights into that little phenomenon. Unless those left wing activist-journalist pass that along to our enemy. Which I guess wouldn't be too far fetched.

quote:

Originally posted by Rawny:
Yes, the Pizza Index. Though a noticeable spike in pie orders mostly only alert the domestic media of possible big operations. Doubtful the Iranians would have insights into that little phenomenon. Unless those left wing activist-journalist pass that along to our enemy. Which I guess wouldn't be too far fetched.

You have to be kidding? OSINT is the easiest source to glean, they would have to be idiots not to be tracking that.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
We have had satellites overhead,....
Why don't we use the knowledge of where they've moved their weapons to and any remaining production capacity...Just a little friendly "hello" from the armed forces.

Consider the size of Iran is about equal to the eastern part of the US to the Mississippi river. (not counting Florida or Maine).

That is a great deal of area to know where "everything is", and all the subterranean (under mountains) facilities, and the many "decoy" sites throughout the area.

It is not an easy thing, no matter what our capabilities are for intel gathering.

And then understanding the mindset of these shithouse rats.

Their worldview is so far from most American's understanding as to what "winning and losing" mean.

It really comes down to them realizing they are facing their ultimate and complete demise.

But we have a very slim percentage of Americans that realize the only way to succeed with a cancer, is to eradicate it.

We are dealing with a "cancerous" mindset.
While need to contain, control, and ultimately eliminate it. The majority only have the balls to seek and stop at the first step, and let the other two be, while "wishing and blowing out candles".

Such things need be left to children and Romper Room...

Either there is an existential threat that needs to be dealt with harshly and without concern of a bad Yelp review, or we are full of shit and need to stop playing silly games.

I know what I believe.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
We have had satellites overhead,....
Why don't we use the knowledge of where they've moved their weapons to and any remaining production capacity...Just a little friendly "hello" from the armed forces.

Consider the size of Iran is about equal to the eastern part of the US to the Mississippi river. (not counting Florida or Maine).

That is a great deal of area to know where "everything is", and all the subterranean (under mountains) facilities, and the many "decoy" sites throughout the area.

It is not an easy thing, no matter what our capabilities are for intel gathering.

And then understanding the mindset of these shithouse rats.

Their worldview is so far from most American's understanding as to what "winning and losing" mean.

It really comes down to them realizing they are facing their ultimate and complete demise.

But we have a very slim percentage of Americans that realize the only way to succeed with a cancer, is to eradicate it.

We are dealing with a "cancerous" mindset.
While need to contain, control, and ultimately eliminate it. The majority only have the balls to seek and stop at the first step, and let the other two be, while "wishing and blowing out candles".

Such things need be left to children and Romper Room...

Either there is an existential threat that needs to be dealt with harshly and without concern of a bad Yelp review, or we are full of shit and need to stop playing silly games.

I know what I believe.

I hope you never get tired of being a voice of reason here and I say that without a hint of smugness or irony. Thanks

Iran Poised To Finalize Hormuz Strait Management Plan, Brushing Aside Trump's Threats

Iran's state Tasnim is saying the US naval blockade remains in effect, despite days of headlines of a 'finalized' US-Iran deal, which were clearly premature - though both sides still signal they are close to agreeing on a Memorandum of Understanding. But this is toward simply extending the ceasefire by 60-days in order to get back to the table, in hopes of finally ending the war based on a final deal.

Despite President Trump's latest warning which declared strict conditions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran appears to be completely brushing his words aside, and is moving closer to formalizing its authority over vital energy shipping waterway.
via Palestine Chronicle

State-run Nour News is reporting that a bill outlining Tehran's role in managing passage through the strategic waterway has been finalized and is expected to be brought to a vote soon.

According to Bloomberg, Iranian lawmaker Alireza Salimi did not provide a specific timeline for the vote but said the legislation is on track to become law. Salimi said that "only Iran and Oman can decide on Strait of Hormuz management" - adding that "the Omani side has given preliminary approval" to Tehran's plan.

He further emphasized the strategic importance of Hormuz, declaring that "the Strait of Hormuz is more important and more valuable to the Islamic Republic of Iran than dozens of nuclear bombs."

Previous comments by Salimi indicate the bill would cover shipping security, the collection of navigation and environmental pollution fees, as well as the creation of a regional development and progress fund - all of which critics have dismissed as but Tehran's ruse to collect what is in effect a "toll".

The legislation is expected to undergo review by Iran's Guardian Council, which is responsible for vetting and approving all laws before they take effect.

President Trump has sternly warned against the Islamic Republic and Oman teaming up to assert control over the strait. As a reminder, during a Wednesday televised cabinet meeting he said as follows:

“No, the strait’s got to be open to everybody; it’s international waters,” the president told reporters. “We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it. That’s part of the negotiation that we have.”

“They would like to control it; nobody’s going to control it. It’s international waters,” he continued. “And Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow ’em up. They understand that. They’ll be fine.”

In the wake of this, Iran has been expressing solidarity with Oman. As reported in The Hill:

Iran reupped its backing for Oman on Thursday, after President Trump warned the latter nation to “behave” or face consequences.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a statement that Iran would support the Gulf nation, which is separated from Iran by the Strait of Hormuz, against U.S. threats, Reuters reported. He also criticized recent strikes in Bandar Abbas, a southern port city.

The irony in all of this is that Oman has long been an American ally in the region, though is also often called the "Switzerland of the Middle East" for its diplomatic and mediatory role in regional disputes.

Despite generally positive relations with Washington going back years and even decades, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent chastized Oman, stating on X Thursday: "The United States Government will not tolerate any effort to impose a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz."

"Oman, in particular, should know that the U.S. Treasury will aggressively target any actors involved - directly or indirectly - in facilitating tolls for the Strait and any willing partners will be penalized," Bessent stated. "All nations should reject outright any efforts by Iran to disrupt the free flow of commerce. Tehran’s days of terrorizing the region and the world are over."

https://www.zerohedge.com/geop...aside-trumps-threats

They're a death cult. I listened to an expert (real expert not a faker) today explain the culture in some depth and after that there was no more speculation for me, though I didn't realize how deep and widespread it was. It's pretty sick business, not just for us, but for anyone who opposes them. It's difficult for westerners to comprehend because it's so sick and twisted compared to normal western thinking and common sense.

They have been laying mines in the straits and they’re also digging out the tunnels of their missile manufacturing sites that we bombed back in week 1

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
<snip>
Despite President Trump's latest warning which declared strict conditions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran appears to be completely brushing his words aside, and is moving closer to formalizing its authority over vital energy shipping waterway.
<snip>

That’s blather. The Iranians are in no position to enforce that.

Without oil revenues they’re cooked.

quote:

They're a death cult.

The leadership is. The Mulla’s and the IRGC.
But I don’t think all of the people are, which is why we hesitate.
They were very westernized before the Islamic Revolution.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
They're a death cult. I listened to an expert (real expert not a faker) today explain the culture in some depth and after that there was no more speculation for me, though I didn't realize how deep and widespread it was. It's pretty sick business, not just for us, but for anyone who opposes them. It's difficult for westerners to comprehend because it's so sick and twisted compared to normal western thinking and common sense.

Can you post a link? Some if us might be interested to hear that. Thanks.