Iran
Flashes from the Archives of Oblivion
Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 189
From: 03 ACE
"U.S. Central Command announced the engagement in a press call with reporters, saying Iran's military capability has been "dramatically degraded."
Very interesting Hangarless !
Is this the same "dramatically degraded"
as the previous version of the statement, or in fact from the version before that, or from the even earlier version of "dramatically degraded"
Or does it mean that what is left, if anything, of the previously "dramatically degraded" has been "dramatically degraded" even further ??
All very confusing as we were of course told some weeks ago that the Iranian Military had in fact been "emasculated"
El G.
Very interesting Hangarless !
Is this the same "dramatically degraded"
as the previous version of the statement, or in fact from the version before that, or from the even earlier version of "dramatically degraded"
Or does it mean that what is left, if anything, of the previously "dramatically degraded" has been "dramatically degraded" even further ??
All very confusing as we were of course told some weeks ago that the Iranian Military had in fact been "emasculated"
El G.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
...............
BREAKING: Fighter jets are reported flying over several cities in southern Iran, including Shiraz.
It is believed that some of them are Mirage 2000-9EAD multirole fighter jets of the UAE Air Force.
They may carry out further retaliatory airstrikes on Iran tonight.
It is believed that some of them are Mirage 2000-9EAD multirole fighter jets of the UAE Air Force.
They may carry out further retaliatory airstrikes on Iran tonight.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
CENTCOM:
U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in support of Project Freedom.
American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping. As a first step, 2 U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey.
American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping. As a first step, 2 U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey.
Joined: Aug 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 152
Likes: 106
From: Vendée
They do. However as has been seen before, the radar signature and the actual vessel can differ. There have already been cases of merchant ships that had been anchored close to the Khasab - Ramchah line being ordered via VHF radio by Iran to move away from that line of ships, at least one was fired upon in the last 24 hours (thankfully no-one hurt and no damage done). The skiffs have also been harrassing ships that do not move away fast enough. It appears that any vessel within sight range of the line is being shifted away. Ships that have been anchored off Ras Al Khaimah are being ordered out of that area by Iran.
The average length of the cargo ships in the line is 65m, ample space to hide skiffs in its shadow. Once AIS is turned off the ship will become invisible, hence why it is a legal obligation to leave the system switched on even at anchor. These Iranian cargo ships are going dark as soon as they have anchored, the AIS signals are showing til 24 hours pass, after that unless you actually look for them via AIS (if you know their IMO identification or name) you will be hard pressed to see them and the skiffs rarely if ever have AIS transponders.
At the same time that Iran has been building the line of ships on the Khasab-Ramchah line, the Houthi have increased their harrassment and attempted hijacking at Bab-el-Mandab. Given that the Houthi are aligned with Iran, it is more than coincidental that both major shipping route choke points are experiencing raised activity levels. All of the above is being confirmed by UKMTO.
The average length of the cargo ships in the line is 65m, ample space to hide skiffs in its shadow. Once AIS is turned off the ship will become invisible, hence why it is a legal obligation to leave the system switched on even at anchor. These Iranian cargo ships are going dark as soon as they have anchored, the AIS signals are showing til 24 hours pass, after that unless you actually look for them via AIS (if you know their IMO identification or name) you will be hard pressed to see them and the skiffs rarely if ever have AIS transponders.
At the same time that Iran has been building the line of ships on the Khasab-Ramchah line, the Houthi have increased their harrassment and attempted hijacking at Bab-el-Mandab. Given that the Houthi are aligned with Iran, it is more than coincidental that both major shipping route choke points are experiencing raised activity levels. All of the above is being confirmed by UKMTO.
Joined: Feb 2006
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 36,137
Likes: 5,738
From: Falling off the end of the thread
Two tankers? hit and UAE port hit after Trump announcing escorts. One South Korean ship and one UAE ship.
Warning shot fired at US Navy ships to back off as they were heading towards the straights
Warning shot fired at US Navy ships to back off as they were heading towards the straights
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,087
Likes: 4,426
From: 3rd Rock, #29B
Rockies are not going to be too happy about the HMM NAMU being hit. It is indicated to be Panamanian registered, Rocky owned, not a tanker, a curious layout Grp 3 tub. The other ship was reportedly UAE owned. (Would have been cheaper to have bought some crypto from Iran).
The NAMU was out of DMM on the way to Shanghai, until bibbies excursion interrupted play, so China will probably be less than impressed as well. Might turn out to be a good day yet. The Namu appears to be brand new.
WYNTOR's "EPIC GOAT 2" might be on the money, I would suggest "Operation 60-Day Resolve, version XXX".
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 293
From: The Alps
One of my best mates who lives out there messaged me at 14:15 our local time here to say that there was a missile warning alert given from the authorities. She and her daughters straight away went into their safe space in their house (the Burj sail hotel is visible from outside her front porch st a distance )
cheers
cheers
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,087
Likes: 4,426
From: 3rd Rock, #29B
Would assume that the insurers and maritime ops officers might like more than a suggestion to chat on Ch 16 when it comes to risk mitigation. putting out a communiqué to nail to the mast is not going to give much protection from the odd occasional drone, mine, missile or cannon shells being fired from Bandar Abbas, or a 10' tinny. Might a convoy not be a good idea?
At least with a convoy, the survivors can be picked up from a known spot. Might be an idea to sailboat min crew as well, or, set a fuze and the A/PLT and drive a few supertankers into Kharg Island or Bandar Abbas.
At least with a convoy, the survivors can be picked up from a known spot. Might be an idea to sailboat min crew as well, or, set a fuze and the A/PLT and drive a few supertankers into Kharg Island or Bandar Abbas.
Last edited by fdr; 4th May 2026 at 23:05.
Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 9,328
Likes: 2,175
From: Texas
The Simpson was decomissioned in 2015 (the last of the Perry Class the USN operated).
Aviation wise, they were built from the get go to have two SH-60B Seahawks on them...
FWIW, there was some talk about bringing them back, but ...
... June 2017, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson revealed the Navy was "taking a hard look" at reactivating 7-8 out of 12 mothballed Perry-class frigates to increase fleet numbers. While the move was under consideration, there would be difficulties in returning them to service given the age of the ships and their equipment, likely requiring a significant modernization effort. Although bringing the frigates out of retirement would have provided a short-term solution to fleet size, their limited combat capability would restrict them to acting as a theater security cooperation, maritime security asset. Their likely role would have been serving as basic surface platforms that stay close to U.S. shores, performing missions such as assisting drug interdiction efforts or patrolling the Arctic so an extensive upgrade to the ships' combat systems would not need to be undertaken.An October 2017 memo recommended against reactivating the frigates, claiming it would cost too much money, taking funding away from other Navy priorities for ships with little effectiveness.
What we got instead was the LCS, which is
...and to date has had little effectiveness.Lose-Lose.
Last edited by Lonewolf_50; 4th May 2026 at 23:51.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 952
Likes: 446
From: same planet as yours
Joined: Oct 2005
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 665
Likes: 145
From: UK/Philippines/Italy
In addition to Remus mentioned by LW above, it may be of interest here to note that the RN has been transitioning to a joint Franco British vehicle called the MMCM (Maritime Mine Counter Measures) programme. The 'mothership' for these USVs is the RFA Lyme Bay which is currently in Gib but a week ago was in the Channel.
I suspect that some of the USV component are already in the Gulf.
I suspect that some of the USV component are already in the Gulf.
Joined: Jul 2014
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 390
Likes: 384
From: UK
If minesweepers from any non-US navy look to deploy in the Strait, presumably they would need air cover or some other kind of protection? And presumably that would have to be provided by the US? Could that arrangement be trusted, given the mercurial directions coming from Trump?
Joined: Jul 2014
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 390
Likes: 384
From: UK
Fujairah was such an obvious target, I thought the reason it hadn't been hit was because it has defences. This suggests that either it wasn't being defended or that the defences were overwhelmed. Does the US detect attacks and warn the UAE etc? Is anyone defending Yanbu?
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,087
Likes: 4,426
From: 3rd Rock, #29B
At this rate Mike Johnson may well have swung a gavel for the last time, although, todays emergency cancelling of a vote in progress in Louisiana is making it possible he may get a reprieve, which would be to not do any congress business until some time in the next year or two.
We need a counter app for this one.
The unfortunate thing is, it restricts the application of funding that should occur, if the WH can make a cogent argument to the house as to what they are doing. Johnson may not be doing Mr T any favours, as the grumbling on process is quite noticeable against the house and the WH too.
One would imagine that there are stuffed vegetables in the refrigerator that could make a rational case for attacking Iran, after all, it's Iran guys n' gal's, why would you not want to go mess in their kitty litter? That Mr T has not made the case and keeps on swallowing his own comments which then get regurgitated as a mystery scrabble high score is unfortunate, as much as it is entertaining.
We need a counter app for this one.
The unfortunate thing is, it restricts the application of funding that should occur, if the WH can make a cogent argument to the house as to what they are doing. Johnson may not be doing Mr T any favours, as the grumbling on process is quite noticeable against the house and the WH too.
One would imagine that there are stuffed vegetables in the refrigerator that could make a rational case for attacking Iran, after all, it's Iran guys n' gal's, why would you not want to go mess in their kitty litter? That Mr T has not made the case and keeps on swallowing his own comments which then get regurgitated as a mystery scrabble high score is unfortunate, as much as it is entertaining.
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,087
Likes: 4,426
From: 3rd Rock, #29B
I don't think the refining capacity exists, since the gulf nations also sell refined products, not just crude. However I am not an oil industry expert so I'll leave it at that.
That's FFG-7 class. Last I checked, the USN stopped operating them, but a number were offered up to foreign navies.
A Fig Seven.
The Simpson was decomissioned in 2015 (the last of the Perry Class the USN operated).
Aviation wise, they were built from the get to to have two SH-60B Seahawks on them...
FWIW, there was some talk about bringing them back, but ...
Having operated from a few of them, I'll say that their expiry date was reached and they needed to be replaced by a good frigate.
What we got instead was the LCS, which is...and to date has had little effectiveness.
Lose-Lose.
That's FFG-7 class. Last I checked, the USN stopped operating them, but a number were offered up to foreign navies.
A Fig Seven.
The Simpson was decomissioned in 2015 (the last of the Perry Class the USN operated).
Aviation wise, they were built from the get to to have two SH-60B Seahawks on them...
FWIW, there was some talk about bringing them back, but ...
Having operated from a few of them, I'll say that their expiry date was reached and they needed to be replaced by a good frigate.
What we got instead was the LCS, which is
...and to date has had little effectiveness.Lose-Lose.
Woofy, you are being rather kind to the LCS program. The Freedom Class was appalling, and only looked good against its sibling the Independence which at least had the decency to commence its own disassembly, usually while under steam. Compared to the LCS debacle, the Oliver Hazard Perry was a paragon of design excellence. Made a pretty fair basis for coast guard cutters...
Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 9,328
Likes: 2,175
From: Texas
Fujairah was such an obvious target, I thought the reason it hadn't been hit was because it has defences. This suggests that either it wasn't being defended or that the defences were overwhelmed. Does the US detect attacks and warn the UAE etc? Is anyone defending Yanbu?
We are singing from the same sheet of music on that, yes. But we often referred to them as the Helen Keller class, the FFG-7's, until the CORT upgrade in the 90's.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2015
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 2,968
Likes: 1,610
From: The Gulf Coast
As neither Mod nor Admin:
One suspects that this will have the same effect as a strongly worded memo from the UN.
From the more official point of view: most of you have stayed "on topic" so please give yourselves a round of applause.
President Trump issued a stern warning to Iran regarding potential attacks on U.S. naval vessels in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. He indicated that any such aggression would result in severe repercussions for Iran.
From the more official point of view: most of you have stayed "on topic" so please give yourselves a round of applause.