US Commander “surprised” British sailors not shoot Iranians (and start war?)
Ian Brockwell
March 26, 2007
It is perhaps fortunate that the 15 sailors, recently captured by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, were British and not American. According to a US Commander, Lt-Cdr Horner, it is US policy to defend themselves in such situations and this would have included firing on the Iranians.
The British sailors were operating in what some consider are “disputed” waters and were outnumbered and outgunned by the Revolutionary Guard. Had they followed Horner’s “Wild West” advice, they would probably all be dead now and the incident would no doubt have triggered a war. Are all the deaths in Iraq not enough that he wants to rush into another conflict and kill even more?
But perhaps it was hoped that this incident would produce an exchange of fire and some deaths at the hands of the Iranians, to provide what some consider a more valid reason to attack Iran?
Rumors that the US and Israel have been seeking an excuse to launch an attack on Iran have been floating around for some time, but after Iraq and the “Weapons of Mass Destruction” fiasco, something better was needed this time. Many reasons for launching an attack on Iran have been offered, the official line is the concern that they may develop a nuclear weapon in the near future, and this is very likely. However, a larger percentage see this as another opportunity for the US to take control of one more oil rich country, and at the same time, by weakening Iran’s military capability, reducing the risk to Israel, who would then become the undisputed power in the Middle East (and the only one with nuclear weapons to support this position).
Iran probably feels that the best deterrent against an air strike from Israel is to obtain nuclear weapons as they have, and whilst this is far from being an ideal solution, it may be the best option under the present circumstances. It is hard to believe that the US are that worried about Iran obtaining a handful of nuclear weapons and sending them its way, as these could be fairly easily destroyed before getting anywhere near the target. So we must assume that this worries Israel much more, which relegates the US interest to that of oil.
Sadly, Lt-Cdr Homer’s remarks will perhaps give some members of the US public the impression that the British sailors showed some cowardice by allowing themselves to be captured, and this may be his intention? However, the sailors were almost certainly ordered not to open fire and escalate an already fragile situation, and this type of cool thinking requires a different kind of courage. Something the “armchair warriors” you see posting messages on forums do not understand, but this is what happens when you watch too many films like Rambo!
After some diplomatic discussions and perhaps an exchange of prisoners, we should see all the British sailors released unharmed, and the dispute with Iran can continue with further talks (and sanctions if necessary), rather than a war that will cost the lives of thousands of innocent people. Iran is unlikely to fire the first shot, they are not that foolish, but you can be certain they will retaliate with everything they have if they are attacked.
It would be a big mistake to assume Iran is some “easy touch” and will comply with US and Israeli wishes, even after a massive air strike. This thinking did not work in Iraq, even though the country had less military strength and was on its knees as a result of the sanctions imposed.
Unfortunately, there seems to be no way of stopping an attack on Iran, it is no longer a case of if, but when. Maybe the next patrol to meet the Revolutionary Guard won’t be so “cool headed” and those wanting this war will “accomplish” their mission. We can only hope later that the rest of the world asks itself why it didn’t do more to stop it getting that far!
The British sailors were operating in what some consider are “disputed” waters and were outnumbered and outgunned by the Revolutionary Guard. Had they followed Horner’s “Wild West” advice, they would probably all be dead now and the incident would no doubt have triggered a war. Are all the deaths in Iraq not enough that he wants to rush into another conflict and kill even more?
But perhaps it was hoped that this incident would produce an exchange of fire and some deaths at the hands of the Iranians, to provide what some consider a more valid reason to attack Iran?
Rumors that the US and Israel have been seeking an excuse to launch an attack on Iran have been floating around for some time, but after Iraq and the “Weapons of Mass Destruction” fiasco, something better was needed this time. Many reasons for launching an attack on Iran have been offered, the official line is the concern that they may develop a nuclear weapon in the near future, and this is very likely. However, a larger percentage see this as another opportunity for the US to take control of one more oil rich country, and at the same time, by weakening Iran’s military capability, reducing the risk to Israel, who would then become the undisputed power in the Middle East (and the only one with nuclear weapons to support this position).
Iran probably feels that the best deterrent against an air strike from Israel is to obtain nuclear weapons as they have, and whilst this is far from being an ideal solution, it may be the best option under the present circumstances. It is hard to believe that the US are that worried about Iran obtaining a handful of nuclear weapons and sending them its way, as these could be fairly easily destroyed before getting anywhere near the target. So we must assume that this worries Israel much more, which relegates the US interest to that of oil.
Sadly, Lt-Cdr Homer’s remarks will perhaps give some members of the US public the impression that the British sailors showed some cowardice by allowing themselves to be captured, and this may be his intention? However, the sailors were almost certainly ordered not to open fire and escalate an already fragile situation, and this type of cool thinking requires a different kind of courage. Something the “armchair warriors” you see posting messages on forums do not understand, but this is what happens when you watch too many films like Rambo!
After some diplomatic discussions and perhaps an exchange of prisoners, we should see all the British sailors released unharmed, and the dispute with Iran can continue with further talks (and sanctions if necessary), rather than a war that will cost the lives of thousands of innocent people. Iran is unlikely to fire the first shot, they are not that foolish, but you can be certain they will retaliate with everything they have if they are attacked.
It would be a big mistake to assume Iran is some “easy touch” and will comply with US and Israeli wishes, even after a massive air strike. This thinking did not work in Iraq, even though the country had less military strength and was on its knees as a result of the sanctions imposed.
Unfortunately, there seems to be no way of stopping an attack on Iran, it is no longer a case of if, but when. Maybe the next patrol to meet the Revolutionary Guard won’t be so “cool headed” and those wanting this war will “accomplish” their mission. We can only hope later that the rest of the world asks itself why it didn’t do more to stop it getting that far!
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