Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao defended his country’s extensive oil imports from Iran against Western pressure to consider sanctions in comments published on Thursday, and yet forthrightly warned Tehran against any effort to acquire nuclear weapons.
“China adamantly opposes Iran developing and possessing nuclear weapons,” said Wen, warning against any confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing is usually much more coy in public about saying Iran could want nuclear arms. That sounds promising.
Panetta: US 'fully prepared' for an Iran challenge: At a Pentagon news conference, Panetta was asked whether, in light of Iran's threat to close the strait in retaliation for stronger international economic sanctions, Washington is adjusting U.S. forces in the region.
"We are not making any special steps at this point in order to deal with the situation," Panetta replied. "Why? Because, frankly, we are fully prepared to deal with that situation now." He noted that routine planning continues as the U.S. and its allies consider a range of potential Iran-related problems. The Navy this month added a second aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East, portraying it as part of a normal rotation and not a deliberate buildup of force. The carriers are the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Abraham Lincoln, under the control of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain.
Iran's foreign minister warned Arab neighbors on Thursday not to put themselves in a "dangerous position" by aligning themselves too closely with the United States in the escalating dispute over Tehran's nuclear activity. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, used for a third of the world's seaborne oil trade, if pending Western moves to ban Iranian crude exports cripple its lifeblood energy sector, fanning fears of a descent into wider Middle East war.
European Union foreign ministers are expected at a meeting on Monday to agree an oil embargo against Iran and a freeze on the assets of its central bank, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said, confirming diplomatic leaks. Saudi Arabia, the world's No. 1 oil exporter, riled Iran earlier this week when it said it could swiftly raise oil output for key customers if needed, a scenario that could transpire if Iranian exports were embargoed.
First I must say by now we are all use to middle eastern nation's threatening their perceived enemy with burning hell on earth whether they can bring it or not. Saddam Hussein did it with WMD to keep Iran at bay. Iran right now is doing it to the west to keep us and increased sanctions at bay. It will not work and we are already prepared for them.
Any military action will be to Iran's demise and she knows it. Iran makes 80% of her revenue from the gulf and the strait of Hormuz. First Iran can not shut down the Strait and any attempt would shut down Iran.
In an undated photo supplied by Lockheed Martin, an Aegis-equipped destroyer launches a missile, using hit-to-kill technology to intercept and destroy short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.
The US Navy recently performed its first test of its new HEL system, destroying a small boat in a matter of moments. We've got the video above. The Navy has begun field testing early versions of its high-energy laser (HEL).
This concept of fighting with rail guns that fire non explosive projectiles at supersonic speeds to put holes in ships 100 miles away and destroy their munitions at the same time and firing lasers to destroy the engines of small boats to disable them is at first glance a concept strange and hard to comprehend in an environment of today's high tech weapons.
However make no mistake, these weapons are very high tech, still under design, and geared towards an enemy and location we will be facing in the future. It is no coincidence that these weapons were tested at the same time the military tested its most challenging test yet of its ballistic missile defense system, blasting an incoming target out of the skies over the Pacific Ocean. The US started outfitting all military vessels in the Gulf earlier this year
It is only a matter of time before we at the very least have a "confrontation" with Iran. I always figured it would come from the Gulf as Gates said the navy as of yet is not over extended. their primary navy weapon seems for now to be those high powered boats. We seem to be building a defense and offense capable of handling a confrontation with Iran and the IRG. I find that troubling but it is worsened because we are getting ourselves into a war with our 3rd Muslim Nation we do not need this but we are prepared. Iran be careful what you ask for because you "will" get it.
Plus our middle east allies have been prepared: Weapons Sales to Iraq Move Ahead Despite US Worries: The Obama administration is moving ahead with the sale of nearly $11 billion worth of arms and training for the Iraqi military despite concerns that Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki is seeking to consolidate authority, create a one-party Shiite-dominated state and abandon the American-backed power-sharing government.
The military aid, including advanced fighter jets and battle tanks meant to help the Iraqi government protect its borders and rebuild a military that before the 1991 Persian Gulf war was one of the largest in the world; it was disbanded in 2003 after the United States invasion.
US Seals $3.48B Missiles, Technology Sale To UAE: The U.S. and U.A.E. have a strong defense relationship and are both interested in “a secure and stable” Persian Gulf region.The deal includes 96 missiles, along with supporting technology and training support that Little says will bolster the nation’s missile defense capacity.The deal includes a contract with Lockheed Martin to produce the highly sophisticated Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, weapon system for the U.A.E.
US to sell F-15s to Saudi Arabia: The Obama administration is poised to announce the sale of nearly US$30 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, U.S. officials said. The deal will send 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more, for a total of US$29.4 billion, according to the officials Wednesday, who requested anonymity because the sale has not been made public.The agreement boosts the military strength of Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, at a time when the Obama administration is looking to counter Iranian threats in the region.
Don't forget the billions in advanced weaponry given to Israel as a "counter balance" Also the 70 Billion in advanced arms give to our so called middle east allies already to defend against Iran.
James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com
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