The other day, the Iranian navy decided it was a good idea to harass six American warships (US Navy and US Coast Guard ships) in the Straits of Hormuz. Huh?
Eleven armed Iranian vessels — some looking like cabin cruisers with mounted .50 caliber machine guns — from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGDN) came as close as thirty feet from the US Coast Guard cutter Maui. This required the Maui to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
The Iranians harassed the Americans, but did something of substantial significance — they manned their weapons and “unpinned” them — meaning they swung their weapons freely as if threatening to fire. This is a provocation in which an American commander is forced to consider the safety of his men and ship.
Tension with Iran has been running high since President Trump gave the order to assassinate Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Quds Force, with a drone rocket attack.
The Iranians retaliated from that American action with a rocket attack on 8 January 2020 on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad military base at which US forces were stationed. More than 100 Americans suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Today, President Trump gave an order which he Tweeted about thusly:
“I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.”
I suspect that Iran may bristle at that order as they said:
“Today, instead of bullying others, the Americans should put all their efforts toward saving those members of their forces who are infected with coronavirus.”
I am certain that President Trump means exactly what he said in his Tweet. I am also absolutely certain the Iranians do not want to lose face and are likely to do something stupid.
It is difficul to believe that any Iranians doubt that President Donald Trump will sink those boats. Any doubt was erased along with Qassem Soleimani. One would think so, no?
Stay tuned. Things are about to get a little sporty in the Straits of Hormuz.
But, hey, what the Hell do I really know anyway? I’m just a Big Red Car. Be well. Stay safe. Wash your hands.