U.S. On Alert For Major Iranian Naval Operation in Middle East, Officials Say

Iran is reportedly poised to kick off a massive naval operation in Middle East waters — and the tension around the globe is already rising.

Not only is America standing on alert, watching for any signs of aggression from the rogue regime.

But Israel’s on toes, as well.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for example, put out a blunt message to Iran that went like this: Don’t block the Red Sea — or the global coalition will not hesitate to step in and put a stop to it.

From CNN:

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard is expected to soon begin a major naval exercise that could demonstrate its ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial conduit for global energy supplies, US officials say.

The exercise in the Persian Gulf could begin as soon as the next two days, according to two US officials directly familiar with the latest assessment of the Revolutionary Guard’s troop movements.

“We are aware of the increase in Iranian naval operations within the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. We are monitoring it closely, and will continue to work with our partners to ensure freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in international waterways,” Capt. William Urban, chief spokesman for US Central Command, told CNN.

The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. The US Energy Information Administration calls it “the world’s most important oil transit chokepoint,” with 20% of oil traded worldwide moving through the waterway, which is about 30 miles wide at its narrowest point.
While the US sees no immediate signs of hostile intent from Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard’s (IRGC) show of force has US military intelligence deeply concerned for three fundamental reasons, according to officials:

The exercise comes as rhetoric from the IRGC towards the US has accelerated in recent days.

It appears the IRGC is ramping up for a larger exercise this year than similar efforts in the past.

The timing is unusual. These types of IRGC exercises typically happen much later in the year.

As of now, the US assesses the IRGC has assembled a fleet of more than 100 boats, many of them small, fast-moving vessels. It’s expected Iranian air and ground assets including coastal defensive missile batteries could be involved.

Hundreds of Iranian troops are expected to participate and some regular Iranian forces could be involved as well.

The IRGC exercise comes as the US has only one major warship, the guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans, inside the Persian Gulf, several officials say. Other US warships are nearby, and there are numerous combat aircraft in the region.

The US military has been trying to encourage other nations in the region, especially Saudi Arabia, to take a strong line on keeping the Gulf open in the face of rising Iranian rhetoric. They have also expressed concern about keeping open the waterways off Yemen where Iranian-backed rebels have attacked oil tankers.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis said on Friday, “Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz. They’ve done that previously in years past. They saw the international community put — dozens of nations of the international community put their naval forces in for exercises to clear the straits. Clearly, this would be an attack on international shipping, and — and it would have, obviously, an international response to reopen the shipping lanes with whatever that took, because of the world’s economy depends on that energy, those energy supplies flowing out of there.”

And Israel isn’t taking any chances. Bibi’s threat was loud and clear, and he warned of dire consequences if Tehran’s leaders didn’t tread carefully.

From Israel National News:

Prime Minister Binyaamin Netanyahu warned Iran not to attempt to block a key naval passage connecting Israel to the Red Sea.

“The sea provides us with many opportunities. Above all it increases the small size of the State of Israel and allows us to deploy our vessels above and below the waves across a vast area. This gives the State of Israel considerable power,” Netanyahu said at the navy officers’ course graduation ceremony in Haifa Wednesday.

“If Iran tries to block the Bab al-Mandab Strait, I am convinced it will find itself facing an international coalition determined to prevent this. This coalition will also include the State of Israel.”

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman also addressed Iranian threats to Israel’s maritime shipping at the ceremony.

“We recently heard threats to attack Israeli ships on the Red Sea, and I look at the people around me, who are here, and it’s a pity that our enemies can not see you and understand that we are well prepared to respond to any threat,” he said.

“I want to emphasize: The IDF is prepared and ready to respond on two fronts simultaneously, and also at the Red Sea. Only in such a case will we be less selective and the damage to our enemies will be more difficult. I hope they will take this into account,” Liberman added.