US Releases Dramatic Video of Iran Boat Incident

[sabra]

Source: ABC News

Tape Shows Iranian Boats Swarming US War Ships, Ignoring Order to Leave

The US Navy released dramatic video and audio of this weekend's stand-off with Iran. The video shows Iranian speedboats swarming around three American warships going through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

At the chilling culmination of the tape, a voice can be heard over the radio, apparently from the Iranians, saying, "I am coming at you. You will explode after a few minutes."

On the tape, the crew of the destroyer USS Hopper can be heard repeatedly warning the Iranian boats to identify themselves and move away.

"I am engaged in transit passage in accordance with international law," a sailor on the bridge of the USS Hopper says. "I intend no harm."

As the Iranian boats get closer, the USS Hopper sounds its horns.

"You are approaching coalition warships," the USS Hopper's crew warns. "You are straying into danger and may be subject to defensive measures. ... Request you alter course immediately to remain clear."

It is at that point that a heavily accented voice can be heard over the radio, apparently coming from the Iranians.

"I am coming to you," the voice says. "You will explode after a few minutes."

An American voice can be then heard repeating the words, incredulously, "You will explode in a few minutes."



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=4105110&pa...

---

This image released by the US Navy was shot Sunday from the bridge of the destroyer USS Hopper, shows a small blue boat, alleged to be Iranian, purportedly racing near the wake of U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf. The incident, which President George W. Bush denounced Tuesday as a "provocative act," was videotaped by a crew member on the bridge of the destroyer. (U.S. Navy/ AP Photo )

[havocmom]

1. That money missing from Iraq can buy a lotta black ops

Sure took time for the video to come out.

[EFerrari]

2. LOL!

I nominate this video for an Oscar!

[fascisthunter]

3. lol.... (nt)

[Parche]

4. The CIA owns speed boats?

[Squatch]

5. Their behavior suggests they are trying to illicit a forceful reaction

Kudos to the USN for holding fire.

[Lautremont]

14. "Illicit" is right.

[Squatch]

16. Oops...I meant "elicit"...

or did I?

[ohio2007]

23. Iran's war games and warnings ( old video from last fall )

Iran's war games and warnings

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=4ab48d6357

hindsight is 20/20.

[superconnected]

6. speed boat threatens warship.... sorry propagada spinners, it's no reason to bomb iran...

[Squatch]

8. The Cole was attacked by a rowboat...

[EFerrari]

10. Sure but that was by terrorists with no nation state that could be attacked.

Iran is not suicidal.

[Squatch]

11. Iran might not be, but maybe individuals in its militia are...

The point is, the USN reacted properly in this case, both in the early RF and audio warnings, and in bringing this incident to public light.

[EFerrari]

12. That's a very rational assessment -- if this story isn't bs.

I guess I just have no trust in our media nor in our government any more, Squatch.

[Squatch]

15. Absolutely agreed.

However, when you're a stranger in a strange land, as the USN is when its steaming through the Persian Gulf, you kinda maintain a high pucker factor. A couple of blue go-fast boats playing chicken with a combat ship formation in the middle of the ocean might raise the eyebrows of people with thier fingers on the triggers of some pretty big guns. But, I'm sure the ROE for engaging that class of target is pretty damned strict, and rightly so.

As for your comment, it's a sad, sad state of affairs when your own government and your own national media is trusted less than Iran.

BTW, how are you doing?

[EFerrari]

17. I'm doing much better than any of our people in uniform

that are being set out there to cover for BushCo crony enterprises.

I'm good, thank you. Thank you for asking.

I hope the new year is a good one for you.

[Squatch]

19. Can't complain...especially since it was 75 degrees today...

Absolutely weird weather we're having out here.

[ohio2007]

20. ...and it was brushed under the rug never to be worried about again

If Iran continues to joy ride and Jay walk across the established shipping lanes ( see the markers ? )

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=79f_1199833701
then yes, they are inviting suicidal thoughts

[EFerrari]

26. I don't drink kool aid, thanks. n/t

[ohio2007]

37. hmmmmm

OK, don't like that particular period of time to talk about navy ops in that part of the world ?

here
1987, USS Stark was hit sailing in the gulf and was viewed as weak and ineffective by the media


http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/id344.htm

But people never recall what happened to the USS Samuel B. Roberts a year later;


1988 deployment and mine strike
The frigate deployed -- in January 1988, heading for the Persian Gulf to participate in Operation Earnest Will, the escort of re flagged Kuwaiti tankers during the Iran-Iraq War. The Roberts had arrived in the Persian Gulf and was steaming peacefully on April 14 when the ship struck an M-08 naval mine in the central Persian Gulf, an area it had safely transited a few days previously.

snip
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Samuel_B._Roberts_%28F...

The navy warned soviet warships also transiting the gulf that mines ( of a Soviet design ) were in the water and damaging ships.

Most prefer to fast forward a month after that mine hit to the Vincennes incident;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Vincennes_

I think those years you'll find are far better on your pallet for talking about sea lanes missions in the gulf

but honestly, politics does not trump the mission

bottom line;


US Navy has run that gauntlet ever since the mullahs first put together their military wing they called the revolutionary guard unit that ensures they would never be thrown out of power.



->"CIA has speedboats in the gulf " <-

..right,
what koolaid talk will it be if a ship sailing under any flag is disabled by a mine

"CIA attacked another ship" I'm guessing the flavor reaction will be

[sam sarrha]

29. a sailor on the cole Manning twin 50's was told to stand down as that boat approached.. it was not

challenged despite numerous warnings of danger at that location.. right after the ossama embassy bombings..

[Squatch]

30. So, the Navy, having learned a valuable lesson with the Cole

now issues both RF and audio warnings before resorting to force to defend itself.

[MinM]

42. Exactly why this does not pass

the smell test. In light of The Cole and USS Vincennes there's no way they'd let speed boats get that close.


http://www.attytood.com/2008/01/tonights_history_lesson...

[winter999]

59. I've been hearing "TONKIN" squawked ever since the

Brits had their run-in. Here's the thing - if you say today's your last day on Earth, one day you'll be right. Everything before that's nonsense.

[sakabatou]

7. Tonkin incident...

[drmeow]

41. I'm with you!

[sakabatou]

57. Welcome to DU

[OKthatsIT]

60. HELLO...TOMKIN INCIDENT?

So many incidents...we've got to assume it's cointelpro.

[yourout]

9. Any skiers behind them?

[ohio2007]

13. I thought they were going to be the size of cigarette boats. 40 ft or there abouts

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=02f_1199833174

Just the same, nobody jumped the gun and the rev guards bugged out with ten blasts of the ships horn ( double the the # for a collision warning )

Wonder if they were all liqueured up ?

ya never know

[TripleD]

18. Why don't they release the recording

of the supposed threat?

If they can release this video, that appears to show some nondescript speed-boaters, then why not the incriminating evidence:

"I am coming to you," the voice says. "You will explode after a few minutes."



Where is that tape? Is the Pentagon trying to pull a bait-and-switch?

[ohio2007]

22. ?

here is te al Jazeera spin. they give the description of each type of US warship but missed the mark on what the Iranians used.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b27_1199756962
why don't they release the audio?
It'll be labeled as a fake don't ya think ?

[sabra]

24. vid @ link

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4104881

[TripleD]

32. Thanks, but...

...I've watched the video twice now and I don't hear the supposed threat:

At the chilling culmination of the tape, a voice can be heard over the radio, apparently from the Iranians, saying, "I am coming at you. You will explode after a few minutes."


Am I just missing it?

[ohio2007]

31. the first dibs for the audio version would be given to the Iranians before being leaked

to the general public.
I'm suprised the video leaked in less then a day after the official announcement to the press.
But thats the camera phone technology we live with.
Getting good audio from 200 meters away during normal windy conditions at sea?
that'll be challenging

[Deny and Shred]

21. THIS is what is tying up the MSM airwaves!

The closest thing to an incident was the two speedboats crossing paths.
If the US doesn't want Iran probing defenses to gauge responses, it ought not be there. It is a natural reaction from any military, particularly one whose adversary has been there so long, and beaten the war drum like it's a Santana tryout.
I believe it was Clauswitz whose axiom was "never engage the same enenmy for too long, they will adapt to your tactics." The Powell Doctrine of short engagement with overwhelming force is in that mold. I guess to the Bushies it sounds quaint, like the Geneva Convention to A. Gonzales.

[Lautremont]

25. Do suicide bombers often announce their intentions while still a great distance away?

"Hey, you guys! Hold that bus! I want to blow it up!" It's a pretty stinky story.

[AlertLurker]

27. It is extremely telling that no one is explaining the US presence...

Why are NINE US Warships going through the Strait of Hormuz with 17,000 personnel aboard, IN BROAD Daylight? I had hitherto been led to believe that this kind of shit NEVER happens...

Who is provoking whom? Please bear in mind that these were supposedly IRGC boats. The IRGC has been deemed a terrorist organization, and King George has authorization to pursue terrorists "to infinity and beyond." This is some seriously scarey shit, coupled with the fact that Chimpy is conferring with the Israelis (remember the USS Liberty?) right now...

I really liked this part of the story: "a small blue boat, alleged to be Iranian"

[Squatch]

28. The Navy frequently uses international waterways...even in the daytime.

Freedom of maneuver...it's why they put big ass guns on those boats.

[AlertLurker]

34. This is the freakin' Strait of Hormuz!!!

This is a NINE WARSHIP (Destroyers, Carriers, etc.) convoy travelling along an international navigation channel in the Strait of Hormuz. The entire strait is only 21 miles wide. In the DAYTIME. Feel free to correct my faulty memory, but I have never heard of this EVER happening before.

They allowed the boats to approach to within 200 yards, apparently. Wonder what the range of a HOOT torpedo or Sunburn is?

This just ain't business as usual...

[Pavulon]

44. Those weapons

probably weigh more than those boats. The navy showed restraint, given the transmissions, which would have been recorded.

They could have fired on those vessels. We have in the past sunk their ski boats.

If you did that in norfolk you would be arrested or shot.

[Fire Bush]

33. This story reeks of bullshit

Anybody have any idea what the range of a boat like that might be?

One report I read said the one of the boats was armed with a machine gun. A machine gun??? Seriously???

What kind of machine gun could be mounted to one of those tiny boats that would even scratch the paint of a fully armed battle ship?

[Zachstar]

39. Stop trying to dumb it down.

Even a small boat can lob a mine or a torpedo.

I am quite surprised to be honest that the ships did not open fire.

[krkaufman]

35. How do we know these were Iranians, exactly?

It was just as likely a SMERSH, CIA (or KAOS) operation.

[dipsydoodle]

36. Have they edited out

the guy water skiing behind that boat.

[downindixie]

38. The video doesn't really ahow a threat

plus how are we to know that they were really Iranian? Jeez,this could have been shot by Dustin Hoffman!

[Pavulon]

45. Iran acked.

the incident. That is how we know. That is quite serious. Shooting wars start over incidents like that.

[ronnie624]

51. Iran "acked"?

Do tell.

[benld74]

40. Crockett! Tubbs! Cue the Miami Vice Music!!

[Dover]

43. Tehran Times: American Psyops......Gulf Times: "No threatening message".

http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=160903

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no...

[fascisthunter]

46. Hey Duers... Look Here

seems there are a couple here who want this war. Looks like they'll have to wait a bit longer. Good post Dover.

[Generic Brad]

47. Uh-oh. We're going to need a bigger boat.

<Cue "Jaws" music>

[fascisthunter]

58. No, Just Better Propaganda (nt)

[struggle4progress]

48. (somewhat different summary)Transcript of Iran-US Navy Clash

By The Associated Press

... U.S. crew member: "This is coalition warship. I am engaged in transit passage in accordance with international law." After a pause he resumes: "This is coalition warship. I am engaged in transit passage in accordance with international law. I intend no harm. Over."

Mostly inaudible internal ship communications follow.

At one point a crew member is heard saying the Iranian boats are "approximately two miles from coalition warships." ...

As the video camera tracks movement of two or three of the Iranian boats at a distance, the U.S. crew member is heard repeating his radio message: "You are approaching coalition warship operating in international waters. Request you establish communications, identify yourself and state your intentions. Over." ...

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gB78lSkuqxlCnflFh_Q7...

[Supersedeas]

63. thanks for the link

[kineneb]

49. got bass boat? nt

[daleo]

50. I don't see any Iranian Navy markings on the boat.

This could have been anyone, as far as I can tell.

[pinniped]

52. This fucking propaganda is designed to get stupid Merkans on board.

.

[and-justice-for-all]

53. Gulf of Tonkin anyone?

and I believe that Iran has as much of a right to be in those waters as the US does.

[Star80]

54. 100%

Pure horse shit...

I have been witness to far too many wag the dog incidents over the past few years to fall for this LAMEST of lame false-flag operations.

Oh, Im not doubting that the boats approached the ship. But after hearing the audio I nearly busted a gut laughing at it. And I will laugh equally hard at anyone who believes this was a real provocation by anyone of Iranian personage.

Bush's handlers that he is visiting are getting truly desperate, what with his failing legacy and all.

I love it.

And I DON'T BELIEVE ANY OF IT!

Oh, and for the record, I'm not afraid of terror any more.

"When you no longer fear, then you are free..."

Maybe it would have been more effective if they painted "Iranian Terrorists On Board" on the back of the boats...


Naaaaah...

[progressive_realist]

55. Let me get this straight...

The US government releases a tape or tapes. The tape that ABC airs starts with a recording from behind the shoulder of a radio operator, presumably aboard a Navy vessel. Then it switches to tape apparently filmed from the deck of a ship. The tape shows a bunch of unmarked speedboats zooming around another naval vessel.

Questions:

1) Is it standard operating procedure to videotape military personnel going about their jobs? Why would someone decide that was an opportune moment to grab the camcorder, to record one of their buddies asking vessels to identify themselves? Does that really seem like a moment to record for posterity? Who exactly was standing there holding the video recorder, and why?

2) How do we know these are Iranian vessels? Other than later statements by Iran, of course. Point is, there is no visual authentication that the video shows what it claims to show.

3) Since when has anyone started considering the Bush administration a credible source of information?

My personal take on this: This type of incident probably happens all the time. Political operatives from the Cheney camp start asking around, find out this sort of thing is common. They see it as an exploitable opportunity. They send out an intelligence team to film one of the incidents and then sex it up with editing and a narrative for the press release. Voila! I expect other productions of this nature to keep coming our way over the next few months. Wonder what they've got planned for the finale?

[progressive_realist]

56. Oh, and one more question

Why would the radio operator identify himself as "coalition vessel"? I thought naval vessels had to identify themselves by which sovereign flag they were flying? So wouldn't the only two legitimate identifications be "U.S. Navy" or "NATO"? As far as I know, we don't operate under anyone else's command. "Coalition" doesn't mean anything. Coalition of what?

[katty]

61. Rerun

[superconnected]

62. This means only one thing - bush fully intends to manufacture another war

before he leaves office.