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Topic: Re: U.S. says Iranian gunboats harassed warships (Read 323 times) |
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Kevin_M
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Re: U.S. says Iranian gunboats harassed warships
« on: Jan 7th, 2008, 3:32pm » |
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The Revolutionary Guard are a separate branch of the Iran Military suspiciously involved in terrorist activities and more provoking.
Quote: Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
The force's main role is in national security, responsible for internal and border security, as well as law enforcement. It is also responsible for Iran's missile forces. The operations of the IRG are geared towards asymmetric warfare and less traditional duties. These include the control of smuggling, control of the Strait of Hormoz, and resistance operations. Thus, the role of the IRG will complement the more traditional role of the regular Iranian military with the two forces operating separately and focusing on different operational roles.
The IRG were formed in May 1979 as a force loyal to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, but later became a full military force alongside the army in the Iran-Iraq War.
Designation by the United States as a Terrorist Organization
In August 2007, the Washington Post reported the U.S. government was considering labeling the Revolutionary Guard a "terrorist organization." This possible decision to designate the Guard as a terrorist group, according to Bush administration officials, was based on, "...the group's growing involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as its support for extremists throughout the Middle East." The designation of the Revolutionary Guard would be made under Executive Order 13224, which allows the United States to block the assets of those designated as terrorists and to disrupt operations by foreign businesses that "provide support, services or assistance to, or otherwise associate with, terrorists."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guards_Corps |
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As well as testing our defenses, or provoking us to shoot first starting an incident with further consequences,
Quote:In recent years, the Iranian military has recognized that, in a toe-to-toe fight with the U.S. military, "they'd get squashed," Samii said.
In response, it has been focusing more on alternative tactics, in which the Revolutionary Guards excel, such as setting mine fields and using large numbers of small boats either packed with explosives or manned by personnel carrying rocket-propelled grenade launchers. The thinking is that at least one would be able to get close enough to a large enemy military vessel to attack it, Samii said.
"Iran is trying to send a signal that it is ready for any military eventuality and that it is prepared to defend itself aggressively," he said.
But the move could backfire by driving Iran's Gulf neighbors into the arms of the United States, which has guaranteed the security of Arab states in the Gulf for decades, Samii said. |
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they may be also testing to see if we initiate that designated terrorist Executive Order.
Quote:A U.S. Navy official in the region said that operations in proximity to Iran's regular navy have been "formal and correct," but added that IRGC forces "rarely respond" to U.S. Navy attempts at ship-to-ship communications with them.
One official said Iran's regular naval forces evoke less concern because they "represent a nation state."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/29/iran.navy/ |
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| « Last Edit: Jan 7th, 2008, 3:40pm by Kevin_M » |
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