Iran
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From: Peripatetic
WSJ: https://archive.is/20260401014531/ht...ormuz-9836ecbb
U.A.E. Wants to Force Hormuz Open and Is Willing to Join the Fight
Gulf state begins effort to persuade U.S. and others to open waterway by any means necessary
The United Arab Emirates is preparing to help the U.S. and other allies open the Strait of Hormuz by force, Arab officials said, a move that would make it the first Persian Gulf country to become a combatant, after being hit by Iranian attacks.
The U.A.E. is lobbying for a United Nations Security Council resolution that would authorize such action, the officials said. Emirati diplomats have urged the U.S. and military powers in Europe and Asia to form a coalition to open the strait by force, a U.A.E official said, adding that the Iranian regime thinks it is fighting for its existence and is willing to bring the global economy down with it in a chokehold on the strait.
The U.A.E. official said the country was actively reviewing how it could play a military role in securing the strait, including efforts to help clear it of mines and other support services.
The Gulf state has also said the U.S. should occupy islands in the strategic waterway including Abu Musa, which has been held by Iran for a half-century and is claimed by the U.A.E., some of the Arab officials said.
In a statement, the U.A.E. Foreign Ministry pointed to a separate resolution passed by the U.N. condemning Iran’s attacks on its cities and to one made by another U.N. body, the International Maritime Organization, condemning the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Emirati Foreign Ministry said there is “broad global consensus that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be preserved.”
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are now turning against Iran’s regime and want the war to continue until it is disabled or toppled, Arab officials said, though they have stopped short of committing their military. Bahrain, a close U.S. ally that hosts the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, is sponsoring the U.N. resolution, with a vote expected Thursday.…….
Russia and China could veto the resolution, and France is proposing a different version. Even if the resolution fails, the U.A.E. would still be prepared to join the war effort, the Gulf officials said.
Iran is insisting on permanent oversight including a system of tolls. The Gulf states fear any diplomatic resolution would implicitly give Iran a formal say over the administration of the waterway and want it dislodged by military action first, the Arab officials said.
It isn’t clear that military action could open the strait. Any operation would require controlling not just the waterway but also the territory along its 100-mile length, potentially with ground troops, military analysts said.
“I don’t think we can do it,” said Rep. Adam Smith (D., Wash.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. “All Iran has to do is be able to keep the strait under threat, which means they need one drone, they need one mine, they need one small suicide boat.”
Gulf states that support military action feel that the consequences of having a hostile neighbor controlling such a vital conduit make it worth the risk, the Arab officials said.
Gulf state begins effort to persuade U.S. and others to open waterway by any means necessary
The United Arab Emirates is preparing to help the U.S. and other allies open the Strait of Hormuz by force, Arab officials said, a move that would make it the first Persian Gulf country to become a combatant, after being hit by Iranian attacks.
The U.A.E. is lobbying for a United Nations Security Council resolution that would authorize such action, the officials said. Emirati diplomats have urged the U.S. and military powers in Europe and Asia to form a coalition to open the strait by force, a U.A.E official said, adding that the Iranian regime thinks it is fighting for its existence and is willing to bring the global economy down with it in a chokehold on the strait.
The U.A.E. official said the country was actively reviewing how it could play a military role in securing the strait, including efforts to help clear it of mines and other support services.
The Gulf state has also said the U.S. should occupy islands in the strategic waterway including Abu Musa, which has been held by Iran for a half-century and is claimed by the U.A.E., some of the Arab officials said.
In a statement, the U.A.E. Foreign Ministry pointed to a separate resolution passed by the U.N. condemning Iran’s attacks on its cities and to one made by another U.N. body, the International Maritime Organization, condemning the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Emirati Foreign Ministry said there is “broad global consensus that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be preserved.”
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are now turning against Iran’s regime and want the war to continue until it is disabled or toppled, Arab officials said, though they have stopped short of committing their military. Bahrain, a close U.S. ally that hosts the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, is sponsoring the U.N. resolution, with a vote expected Thursday.…….
Russia and China could veto the resolution, and France is proposing a different version. Even if the resolution fails, the U.A.E. would still be prepared to join the war effort, the Gulf officials said.
Iran is insisting on permanent oversight including a system of tolls. The Gulf states fear any diplomatic resolution would implicitly give Iran a formal say over the administration of the waterway and want it dislodged by military action first, the Arab officials said.
It isn’t clear that military action could open the strait. Any operation would require controlling not just the waterway but also the territory along its 100-mile length, potentially with ground troops, military analysts said.
“I don’t think we can do it,” said Rep. Adam Smith (D., Wash.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. “All Iran has to do is be able to keep the strait under threat, which means they need one drone, they need one mine, they need one small suicide boat.”
Gulf states that support military action feel that the consequences of having a hostile neighbor controlling such a vital conduit make it worth the risk, the Arab officials said.
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From: troposphere
Can you post a link to that article please ?
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From: Japan
Once in a language classroom in London an Iranian student pointed to the Gulf on a wall map, saying 'Persian Gulf', whereupon an Iraqi student leapt up to say it was the 'Arabian' Gulf, initiating an argument that very nearly developed into a fistfight.
The mouth of the Strait is an international waterway overseen 50/50 between Iran and Oman, surely, or 50% by Iran to the east and 50% split between seven Arab countries to the west.
The mouth of the Strait is an international waterway overseen 50/50 between Iran and Oman, surely, or 50% by Iran to the east and 50% split between seven Arab countries to the west.
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From: Japan
It was in Japanese, from an analysis on a Korean news site called Kangnam. I tried to find the original after reading it, but I do not think there is an English version.
Shall I look for the link?
Edit. Have tried. Giving up for now... the article quoted analysis by Michael Kofman (Carnegie) and Retired Air Marshal Martin Sampson.
Shall I look for the link?
Edit. Have tried. Giving up for now... the article quoted analysis by Michael Kofman (Carnegie) and Retired Air Marshal Martin Sampson.
Last edited by jolihokistix; 1st April 2026 at 06:58.
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From: troposphere
It was in Japanese, from an analysis on a Korean news site called Kangnam. I tried to find the original after reading it, but I do not think there is an English version.
Shall I look for the link?
Edit. Have tried. Giving up for now... the article quoted analysis by Michael Kofman (Carnegie) and Retired Air Marshal Martin Sampson.
Shall I look for the link?
Edit. Have tried. Giving up for now... the article quoted analysis by Michael Kofman (Carnegie) and Retired Air Marshal Martin Sampson.
to cross the Strait of Hormuz, it would be too heavy (even a single strand of single-mode fibre). If it were quite a large drone
capable of carrying a hefty payload, it would be possible
https://san.com/cc/iran-applies-less...ockpiles-thin/
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From: Ferrara
A lot of people (including the Iranians) have noted that POTUS is now in the habit of saying that things are going well just before US markets open on Mondays. He starts talking tough around Wednesday night and then sends in the military just after US markets close on Friday.
Long weekend coming up - expect action Thursday night US time?
Long weekend coming up - expect action Thursday night US time?
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From: Japan
I found this article which has one of those authors which mentions FPV drones using optical fibre (for 2-way communication) but it doesn't mention how long the fibre is. I would doubt very much that an FPV drone could carry 30-40km of fibre onboard
to cross the Strait of Hormuz, it would be too heavy (even a single strand of single-mode fibre). If it were quite a large drone
capable of carrying a hefty payload, it would be possible
https://san.com/cc/iran-applies-less...ockpiles-thin/
to cross the Strait of Hormuz, it would be too heavy (even a single strand of single-mode fibre). If it were quite a large drone
capable of carrying a hefty payload, it would be possible
https://san.com/cc/iran-applies-less...ockpiles-thin/
Wiki mentions prototypes up to 50 km, although 5-20 km is the norm, apparently.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_optic_drone
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From: The Roman Empire
Apparently the USS Bush has left the US east coast to replace the USS Ford in the eastern Mediterranean.
Presumably that means the USN expects action to continue for at least the length of the transit time for USS Bush (2-3 weeks)? Or simply a contingency option?
Presumably that means the USN expects action to continue for at least the length of the transit time for USS Bush (2-3 weeks)? Or simply a contingency option?
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
I found this article which has one of those authors which mentions FPV drones using optical fibre (for 2-way communication) but it doesn't mention how long the fibre is. I would doubt very much that an FPV drone would carry 30-40km of fibre onboard to cross the Strait of Hormuz, it would be too heavy
Why Choose GL-FIBER’s Fiber Optic FPV Systems?
1. Ultra-Thin, High-Strength Fiber Cores
Diameter Options: 0.25mm / 0.27mm / 0.35mm (G.657.A2 bend-insensitive fiber)Tensile Strength: 500N+ (aramid-reinforced for anti-snagging)
Bend Radius: 7.5mm static, 15mm dynamic (IEC 60794-2-20 compliant)
2. Fully Customizable Configurations
Lengths: 25.2km, 50.4km, 60.0km/spool (extendable to 100km)Color Coding: TIA/EIA-598-A standardized or custom-branded jackets
Connectors: SC/APC, LC/UPC, or pre-terminated MPO/MTP options
3. Battle-Proven Performance
0% Signal Loss: EMI-immune transmission near 5G towers/EWAR zonesLatency: <28ms for real-time 1080P@60fps videoTemperature Range: -40°C to +85°C (IP67 waterproofing)
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From: The Roman Empire
I remember being briefed on a fibre optic missile, the FOG-M (Google it, or no doubt someone will provide a link) in the late 1980s....it had a range of around 50km then.
Raytheon MGM-157 EFOGM and it doesn't look very big.
That was over 35 years ago.
The Brazilian Avibras FOG-MPM weighs 34kg and has a range of 60km.
Raytheon MGM-157 EFOGM and it doesn't look very big.
That was over 35 years ago.
The Brazilian Avibras FOG-MPM weighs 34kg and has a range of 60km.
Last edited by Biggus; 1st April 2026 at 08:46.
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From: Australia
https://www.gl-fibercable.com/newsde...solutions.html
Tensile Strength: 500N+ (aramid-reinforced for anti-snagging)
Bend Radius: 7.5mm static, 15mm dynamic (IEC 60794-2-20 compliant)
Color Coding: TIA/EIA-598-A standardized or custom-branded jackets
Connectors: SC/APC, LC/UPC, or pre-terminated MPO/MTP options
Latency: <28ms for real-time 1080P@60fps videoTemperature Range: -40°C to +85°C (IP67 waterproofing)
Why Choose GL-FIBER’s Fiber Optic FPV Systems?
1. Ultra-Thin, High-Strength Fiber Cores
Diameter Options: 0.25mm / 0.27mm / 0.35mm (G.657.A2 bend-insensitive fiber)Tensile Strength: 500N+ (aramid-reinforced for anti-snagging)
Bend Radius: 7.5mm static, 15mm dynamic (IEC 60794-2-20 compliant)
2. Fully Customizable Configurations
Lengths: 25.2km, 50.4km, 60.0km/spool (extendable to 100km)Color Coding: TIA/EIA-598-A standardized or custom-branded jackets
Connectors: SC/APC, LC/UPC, or pre-terminated MPO/MTP options
3. Battle-Proven Performance
0% Signal Loss: EMI-immune transmission near 5G towers/EWAR zonesLatency: <28ms for real-time 1080P@60fps videoTemperature Range: -40°C to +85°C (IP67 waterproofing)
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From: UK
A lot of people (including the Iranians) have noted that POTUS is now in the habit of saying that things are going well just before US markets open on Mondays. He starts talking tough around Wednesday night and then sends in the military just after US markets close on Friday.
Long weekend coming up - expect action Thursday night US time?
Long weekend coming up - expect action Thursday night US time?
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From: Oz
The SE Turboprop is an Air Tractor 802U.
With a sextet of those missile pods, wouldn't one make a good drone hunter for Dubai. Cheap to operate, they could maintain a CAP 50 nm off the coast and plink away at any low speed shaheads heading east.
On another topic, my next door neighbour is Iranian, ex Iran AF in fact, fled Iran when the Shah fell. he's now well north of 80 years old, a thorough gentleman. His advice, if anyone thinks this is going to be over in 2 weeks, you have a big reality check coming. The IRGC is a mix of religeous zealots, and Mafia organised crime. If any semblance of the IRGC is left intact, the WILL regroup and seek revenge....on the world. Their train set has been taken away and they are pissed.....really pissed. The job must be completed in full, no matter the cost in money, materials, or lives, anything less and we will just repeat this whole fiasco in 10 years.
With a sextet of those missile pods, wouldn't one make a good drone hunter for Dubai. Cheap to operate, they could maintain a CAP 50 nm off the coast and plink away at any low speed shaheads heading east.
On another topic, my next door neighbour is Iranian, ex Iran AF in fact, fled Iran when the Shah fell. he's now well north of 80 years old, a thorough gentleman. His advice, if anyone thinks this is going to be over in 2 weeks, you have a big reality check coming. The IRGC is a mix of religeous zealots, and Mafia organised crime. If any semblance of the IRGC is left intact, the WILL regroup and seek revenge....on the world. Their train set has been taken away and they are pissed.....really pissed. The job must be completed in full, no matter the cost in money, materials, or lives, anything less and we will just repeat this whole fiasco in 10 years.
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From: Mauritius,soon or latter
There could be:
1. UAE and SA will start war against Iran- most probavly islands in SoH and Iran' littoral area
2. Usa wil provide air cover and logistics of such campaign.Without direct involment of ground troops ecxept protection of vital assets.
3. Some poor countries will send their troops, in exchange for money or oil to join coalition..
4. EU will vote for strong resolutuon saying that it is unacceptable to further ruin human tights, rule of Law and democrcy in region..
in short, 2:0 for Vatican.
1. UAE and SA will start war against Iran- most probavly islands in SoH and Iran' littoral area
2. Usa wil provide air cover and logistics of such campaign.Without direct involment of ground troops ecxept protection of vital assets.
3. Some poor countries will send their troops, in exchange for money or oil to join coalition..
4. EU will vote for strong resolutuon saying that it is unacceptable to further ruin human tights, rule of Law and democrcy in region..
in short, 2:0 for Vatican.
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From: EDLB
That fiber specs 10kg/25km. For a shaheed size drone no problem to carry 20kg=50km of spool. Only the rear prop will create a problem, but that can be solved. Design of a 50km drone with fibre optic FPV guidance for over water use is not difficult. Very difficult to spot if it flys low altitude over water, does not have electronic emissions and insensitive to interference. Alternative you make an submerged quiet under water version with electric propulsion. Home in on acoustic noise pattern from any ships propulsion system. That are today cheap systems you can not protect against even with very expensive electronic warfare equipment. That is a very asymmetric threat where the narrow SoH gives Iran a big advantage. You have to complete control 1350nm coast + max. drone and rocket range inland. You will need to control 90 million people and the 6th of the USA size landscape into every corner.
That was known 4 weeks ago, so I wonder what the plan was.
That was known 4 weeks ago, so I wonder what the plan was.
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From: Australia
That fiber specs 10kg/25km. For a shaheed size drone no problem to carry 20kg=50km of spool. Only the rear prop will create a problem, but that can be solved. Design of a 50km drone with fibre optic FPV guidance for over water use is not difficult. Very difficult to spot if it flys low altitude over water, does not have electronic emissions and insensitive to interference. Alternative you make an submerged quiet under water version with electric propulsion. Home in on acoustic noise pattern from any ships propulsion system. That are today cheap systems you can not protect against even with very expensive electronic warfare equipment. That is a very asymmetric threat where the narrow SoH gives Iran a big advantage. You have to complete control 1350nm coast + max. drone and rocket range inland. You will need to control 90 million people and the 6th of the USA size landscape into every corner.
That was known 4 weeks ago, so I wonder what the plan was.
That was known 4 weeks ago, so I wonder what the plan was.
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From: UK
Although it is not a federal holiday, US markets are closed on Good Friday.
https://www.nyse.com/trade/hours-calendars
<5kg for 60km here https://www.holightoptic.com/fiber-o...r-reel-1-60km/
Not just weight though, tether mass also a consideration for performance.
https://www.nyse.com/trade/hours-calendars
Not just weight though, tether mass also a consideration for performance.
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From: England
I found this article which has one of those authors which mentions FPV drones using optical fibre (for 2-way communication) but it doesn't mention how long the fibre is. I would doubt very much that an FPV drone would carry 30-40km of fibre onboard to cross the Strait of Hormuz, it would be too heavy