The Iranian Revolutionary Guard are firing back at President Trump’s Wednesday threat to sink Iranian boats in the Persian Gulf, saying they are prepared to target US warships if they consider them a threat to Iranian security.
Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami says that Iran is committed to defending its maritime borders and maritime interests and would respond to any “wrong move” by the US. This is noteworthy because US operations in the Persian Gulf have tended to be near Iran’s maritime borders.
Just like the Pentagon is presenting Trump’s Tweet as a “warning” to Iran, however, it’s not clear that Salami’s comments are meant as a statement of policy or just another warning/threat being made in the course of ever-worsening tensions between the two nations.
If nothing else, these statements provide both nations with a chance to accuse the other of provocation, and to try to argue that if a war does happen, it was the other side’s fault. It doesn’t seem either side would benefit from a naval battle in the Gulf, but this reflects almost constant tension and talk of war throughout 2020.
Go Iran. Thats the way do not give in to the BULLY. These provocations are on your doorstep and thousands of miles from the US. They should go back and play in their own backyard
“If nothing else, these statements provide both nations with a chance to accuse the other of provocation, and to try to argue that if a war does happen, it was the other side’s fault.”
But only one side has warships in the other side’s backyard. And only one side decided to drop out of a deal that the other rside was adhering to. And of course only one side is trying to destroy the other side economically through sanctions. But sure, both nations provocations are the reason war might break out.
A little Iranian anti-ship missile testing would be in order…
Although, this might bet be done on the Caspian Sea, just in case the U.S. was hoping to misconstrue such tests as an ‘attack’.