Syrian War Report – July 5, 2019: British Marines Seized Iranian Oil Tanker
On July 4, a detachment of Royal Marines and the authorities in Gibraltar seized a supertanker suspected of carrying oil to Syria on the belief it was breaching EU sanctions. 30 Royal Marines from 42 Commando were involved in the operation targeting Grace 1 that had sailed from Iran. The operation was made upon request from the US and the UK. If the oil on board is confirmed to be Iranian, the tanker would also be violating a US ban on Iranian oil exports.
Later, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador in Tehran, Rob Macaire, over the incident describing it as an “illegal seizure”. Nonetheless, it’s unlikely that the tanker will be released soon. Such operations mark the start of a new round of pressure campaign on the government of the Bashar al-Assad as well as Iranian oil exports in the region.
On July 3 and July 4, a fighting broke out between the Turkish-backed militant group known as the National Syrian Army and joint forces of the Syrian Army and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) near the town of Hazwan in northern Aleppo. Turkish-backed militants admitted that at least 2 of their fighters were killed.
The army and the YPG jointly control an area between Afrin and the eastern countryside of al-Bab. Some Russian Military Police units are also deployed in key positions there. Tensions at the contact line between this area and the Turkish-occupied part of Syria grow after every successful attack of Kurdish rebels on Turkish targets in Afrin.
Several senior commanders of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) have inspected the frontlines with the Syrian Army in northwestern Hama. The TIP released photos of the visit on July 2. They faces of the commanders are blurred but they may have been Abu Rida al-Turkistani and Ibrahim Mansour, the top commanders of the TIP.
The interesting fact is that the visit took place in the area near to the Turkish military observation post in Shir Mughar. It confirms the freedom of movement that terrorist groups have under the nose of Turkish troops that allegedly deployed there to prevent such developments. Under the demilitarized zone agreement radicals like the TIP and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have to be withdrawn from the contact line. Nonetheless, this has never happened.
Rule #1 in warfare, There are no rules!
Rule #2 in warfare, follow rule #1.
This is an indication that the Trump administration intends to conduct a “blockade” of Iranian oil. So they started it by seizing a ship in the Med outside of the Persian Gulf, under the bogus “sanctions against Syria and anyone helping Syria” trope.
What this does is establish a US history of seizing Iranian oil tanker which can then be applied later in the Persian Gulf under different excuses. That will be the start of an actual “blockade” of Iranian tankers, thus implementing Trump’s threat to “stop all sales of Iranian oil” (which is actually impossible absent such a blockade and ignoring any pipeline deliveries anywhere.)
That will constitute an act of war against Iran and force Iran to respond. An Iranian official already suggested Iran seize a US-flagged ship in retaliation – which is exactly what the neocons want as it will force Trump to start actual military operations against Iran.
Tell me again how the US is *not* going to start a war with Iran. No, they’re going to force *Iran* to start it and then claim they’re blameless. And Trump will agree to that since he is dumb enough to think it will save him from being blamed in the 2020 elections for starting a new war. And whether he gets blamed or not is *not* going to matter once the war starts.
A couple of points.
First,it was British criminal troops that seized the tanker.Not for once US criminal troops.
Second,It won’t really matter what people in the West think.The vast majority of people in the World live in Asia (over 60% alone),Africa,and Latin America.And people in those countries understand who the aggressors are in the World.
Third,Iran is not the type of nation to tolerate attacks on themselves,without rightfully striking back.
I believe a war is impossible to prevent in the Mina. And if it breaks out,it would be to Iran’s advantage to destroy the oil infrastructure in their enemy states.Destroy the US/British bases in the Gulf Region and rain destruction on Israel.The US doesn’t have enough oil/gas to supply Europe and other areas,no matter what Trump thinks. Russian oil/gas isn’t enough either.But the huge prices will help Russia’s economy.In the US on the other hand the massive increase of the “price at the pump” will harm the population heavily.An almost certainly end Trump’s Presidency. Is that a good thing,I doubt it.Trump for all his faults is less warlike than anyone that would follow him.
It does seem the closer the western elites inch slowly toward their own designed destruction, that some zoo animals are growing restless in their attempts to quell the remaining triangular animals. As these remaining zoo animals wake, (one by one or two by two), to the nightmare that awaits them, all hell has to break loose b/c capitulation is not an option to those who job it is to fight to the bitter end.
HA HA :D Absolutely LOVE IT!
Through my perception-filters, it has a load of Chinese-poetic licences of hidden meanings and quirky slant in it. Brilliant! Almost like the Animal Farm by George Orwell! Simply AWESOME!
My 2c –
Perhaps this is to de-track Brexit?
Sorry, what is meant by “triangular animals”?
Katherine
Dear Richard,
“Tell me again how the US is *not* going to start a war with Iran. No, they’re going to force *Iran* to start it and then claim they’re blameless.”
There is only one problem with this statement. It is the victors that write the history, and perhaps the US thinks it will win the war with Iran. It cannot. Perhaps the US has forgotten what happened to Germany once their forces stopped heading for the Russian oilfields and headed for Moscow, or perhaps they think that the Iranians haven’t studied Japan’s response to the ‘oil embargo’ that created Pearl Harbour.
Now am I correct in believing that the game, ‘chess’ originated in Iran/Persia? It is a far superior game than the American ‘checkers’. or even the video games of todays airheads.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel proxy of the US has gained a pawn, but has left themselves open to an attack by a bishop. Remember Putin’s speech in regard to Syria last week. What does that now mean? It simply means that the UK’s seizure of an Iranian tanker bound for Syria with assurances from Russia, and better minds than mine have already instigated the reactions. Those reactions will not be favourable to US interests, and I believe nor will it give them their opportunity to let slip the dogs of war.
I wonder what to make of Instex, the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges that supposedly allows European Union members a means to purchase Iranian oil and circumvent US sanctiobs? Do they suppose illegal sanctions imposed on Iran and Syria for the outrage of defying Hegemon and The Experiment That Failed will carry much weight compared to their own declining sources of crude or petrol?
The vermin of the Austfailian mainstream media serve the Empire loyally, as ever, as liars and hypocrites, in regard to Iran. The US abrogation of the JCPOA is hardly mentioned, but once Iran withdraws, after a year of EU lies and false promises, it becomes the Iranians who are the ‘aggressors’. Lies flow like rancid milk and tainted honey, and, as in EVERY topic of concern to the Empire, NO dissenting opinion is ever aired. When Thanatopia orders us to join in the ‘turkey-shoot’ to slaughter Iranians, the Austfailians will join in with enthusiasm, as ever. When all the very, very, bad karma that this country has built up comes back to bite us on the arse, it will be very, very, nasty, but richly deserved, I fear.
Sadly, you’re correct Mulga. When the cow poo hits the massive fans, a lot of people are going to be drenched in the stuff, and I would say a large majority in Australia havn’t got the faintest inkling, not a clue of what’s coming. To quote Chomsky: ‘they don’t even know that they don’t even know’. Your examples on the total dishonesty about Iran by the presstitute filth is yet another reason (of hundreds) I refuse to read or watch mainstream media in Oz. Two examples: Sally Neighbour, Philip Adams and Philip Williams of ABC. Even things like The Guardian turn my stomach.
Oh, the MI6 Daily, aka the Guardian, turns my stomach the most, because of its treachery. The Murdoch cancer you expect to be Evil, because it always has been, but the Guardian, and to a lesser extent, the local ABC, repulse because of the turn-coat duplicity of (multiple expletives deleted) ‘PhiloSemite’ Phil Adams and his ilk.
The USA has been committing acts of aggression against Iran since 1979. The valiant US Armed Forces, over which Yankee jingos and chauvinists have been waxing hysterical in recent days, very much prefers attacking victims softened up by sanctions and subversion.
I take it you have access to President Trump’s cabinet meetings and understand his long range plans to block some of the billions O’Bama gifted to Iran. … Awesome !!
.
Referring to Iranian assets held in the US and seized? The money was returned w/out interest. The return of the seized money was a pre-condition to the agreement. Stealing money and then returning it is not ‘gifting’. Texican ferrever should do a little reading…
Texas itself is stolen land, so a Texan is but an hereditary thief or receiver of stolen property, at best. And like most Yanks they do love ‘big-noting’ themselves.
This only proves ONE thing: the UK did also renege the JCPOA, all the while claiming it still abides by it. The tribute vice pays to virtue is called hypocrisy.
I admire the bravery of the Persian people to stand up to the U.S.-NATO criminal act of piracy on the high seas, even if it only amounts to words of extreme disdain.
The crew of the Iranian oil tanker have been taken hostage. The ship has been denied the unalienable right to engage in commerce and freely sail in international waters. Iran must respond in kind, tit for tat so to speak or no Iranian ship is safe on the high seas.
A UK bound commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz has to be boarded by the Iranian Navy and the crew removed and held in detention perhaps on Hormuz Island until what rightfully belongs to Iran is returned. The question is; will the UK attempt a military rescue or try to negotiate a peaceful settlement? That puts the political football in the Brits corner.
This is not 1982 during the 10 weeks of undeclared military conflict between Argentina and the UK over the Falkland Islands and Britannia no longer “rules the seas.” If it comes to war then British Marines are going to die because Iran is ready to go. The western powers have crossed the Rubicon and either they capitulate or Hell will be unleashed economically and martially in the Middle East.
During the Malvinas war the British get their medicine with huge and unexpected loses, according to Argentinian veterans the British loses were much higher than the 255 killed they reported. So been the Iranians a much more serious opponent the loses for the brits could be very high indeed.
You mean that the British troops will not be fighting conscripts and cadets?
Actually aside from the conscripts, etc. there were significant contingents of Argentina special forces, marines, regular forces and some have reported a number of mercenaries.
I guess the point for a number of bigots here is that on both sides if a war breaks out a lot of personnel will die.
I worked in the UK MOD at the time as a youngster and all the dead and injured were accurately documented. It is near impossible to do what you suggest as every service man or woman has a spouse, relatives, friends, etc.
However, I think the Iranians should do something as the degenerates in the West have to know they will take big loses.
If only the Argentines had had more Exocets, one bad thing would have occurred, ie many more English sailors and troops would have died. But a very good thing, too, would have resulted-the Evil She-Devil Thatcher would have been destroyed.
I am comforted by the words of the Delphic Oracle to Croesus, when he contemplated attacking Persia-‘If Croesus goes to war (with Persia) he will destroy a great Empire’. Of course the Empire destroyed was that of Croesus, Lydia. So, if Croesus (Trump) attacks Persia (Iran) a ‘great’ Empire (Thanatopia) will be destroyed’. Fingers crossed.
Spain Says Iran Tanker Was Seized by Britain at US Request
https://news.antiwar.com/2019/07/04/spain-says-iran-tanker-was-seized-by-britain-at-us-request/
US ‘request’?? Pull the other one. US orders!
This despicable act perpetrated by the UK serves to expose the unbelievable hypocrisy of both the UK and the EU.
This is an illegal act that has no justification under international law.
While both have stated publicly that they support the 2015 deal with Iran, they have done nothing to demonstrate that support.
The EU and the UK have only paid lip service to the 2015 deal, while they have aided and abetted the US in undermining the agreement.
This is an outrageous act and Iran should not allow it to go without a fitting response.
Iran must continue to stand its ground and not back down, not even an inch, in dealing with these abject criminals who are slaves to Israel and its agenda.
Selah
Honestly, S-400. Don’t you recognise ‘The Rules-Based International Order’ in action?
No need tor a tit for tat vessel seizure by Iran.instead, Iran only needs to provide a naval escort for each tanker.Or it can ask other allied countries like china, Russia, for their help in this.
A Russian flag on the tankers would be much cheaper ….. just sayin’.
The Iranians should start putting special forces on their ships. Then US/UK stupidity will have a cost
Freedom of navigation ! International rules! Empty words!
I wonder if China will start seizing ships in South China sea that are doing commerce with USA on the motive of the trade war imposed on China by US.
The pirates of the Caribbean and Somalia moved to Gibraltar !
I think it more likely that influential Brits and other like minded gentry will suddenly find it more difficult to enter, stay, leave and do business remotely with China.
Spain doesn’t even want those bastards in Gibraltar –
Gibraltans do not want Spanish rule, but I wonder how well they will fare if Spain cuts all ties, as it has in the past. Does UKGB&NI have the financial resources to provide all supplies to Gibraltar and how well does Gibraltar fare if tourists with a Gibraltar stamp find it difficult to enter other Mediterranean countries? I think over time it will become difficult for Gibraltar to remain so arrogantly independent.
I also wonder if this was the first tanker to make that trip. Would it be possible for Iran to sell oil to a third country, and for Syria to purchase oil from a fourth such as Russia? Oil is a commodity and who but who is going to intercept a Russian tanker on the high seas?
Spain should annex the 6km2 piece of rock and deport the 30,000 british loving bastards to the UK where they belong.
“If the oil on board is confirmed to be Iranian, the tanker would also be violating a US ban on Iranian oil exports.”
Neither the uk or us sanctions against Iran and Syria are legal. These are basically a new form of piracy. The portion of this SF report devoted to the zionazi-gay act of piracy against the ship is rather vacuous and reads like standard msn spin. This provides better coverage:
Moscow: Tanker Seizure Near Gibraltar Contradicts EU’s Claim of Commitment to Iranian Nuke Deal
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201907051076160874-tanker-carrying-iranian-oil-will-be-detained-in-gibraltar-for-2-more-weeks—territorys-ag/
“The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned the seizure of the Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Gibraltar, saying that this move contradicts the EU’s statements on its intention to preserve the Iranian nuclear deal.
“In any case, we are convinced that this step contradicts the commitment, declared by the leading EU states, including the United Kingdom, to preserve the nuclear agreements with Iran”, the commentary said.
The ministry decried the seizure, stressing that it deliberately aimed to aggravate the situation around Syria and Iran.
“We consider detaining the vessel and its cargo [in the Gibraltar Strait] a deliberate action to further aggravate the situation around Iran and Syria. Exuberant comments by high-ranking UK and US officials that followed immediately after this operation prove that this action was prepared in advance and with the involvement of the relevant agencies and services of certain states”, the ministry said in a commentary.
Addressing the reaction of the United Kingdom and the United States to the incident in the strait, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was evident that the detainment of the vessel had been planned in advance.
The officials warned that the repercussions of the ship seizure could be heavy and the responsibility will lie with those who increase pressure on Tehran and Damascus.”
The ship also could have been bait to lure the opposition into an action that first opens a verbal dialogue and then a second mechanism of escort of future delivery’s. The west would have to think twice about attempting to detain a tanker under the watchful eye of a more formidable opponent on two fronts this time.
“Neither the UK nor US sanctions against Iran and Syria are legal. These are basically a new form of piracy. The portion of this SF report devoted to the zionazi-gay act of piracy against the ship is rather vacuous and reads like standard msn spin.”
Let’s review:
1. The sanctions are based on false accusations of terrorism. I should say false and hypocritical b/c it is Hegemon and Rogue State who are committing the terrorism. In an impartial court, the sanctions would not stand, and in an imaginary just court, sanctions would be imposed on the perpetrators.
2. UK marines boarded the tanker to enforce EU policy. Didn’t the people of the UK vote to exit the EU?
3. Gibraltar as a British outpost is a holdover from colonial times. Where Russia has legitimate arguments in favor of annexing retaining Crimea such as proximity and history of the people there, the UK does not have the same claim to Gibraltar. It is a holdover from colonial times.
I wonder about this whole affair. Is it a desperate gamble to stop Iranian oil from reaching Syria or is it just a really stupid move by Zionist inspired Neocons?
“I wonder about this whole affair. Is it a desperate gamble to stop Iranian oil from reaching Syria or is it just a really stupid move by Zionist inspired Neocons?”
Well it is pretty simple.
Anglozionist want to break Syria. Then Lebannon. Then Iran.
That is pretty much petrodollar (and related MIC USD) and Israel interests at play…
Truly colonial and imperial policy.
That being said the US policy is to blockade banking & oil to strangle Syria into submission.
The US has invaded Syria eastern oil rich region.
Stop Syria oil import through gibraltar strait and suez canal.
The point is that NATO is at open war against Syria.
And NATO is now at open blockade and war with Iran.
No need excuse or lighter word. This is blockade, blackmail and war.
It is jewish and crusader colonial war of the worst kind with support of lackeys. No more no less.
““If the oil on board is confirmed to be Iranian, the tanker would also be violating a US ban on Iranian oil exports.”
Neither the uk or us sanctions against Iran and Syria are legal.”
I know that commenters here know that these sanctions have no legal basis.
Still, it makes my blood boil , here in the peanut gallery, to see this type of headline stating “US sanctions” as an established item in law—as anything but a terribly bad joke.
Those in the international peanut gallery must read such headlines with a deeper fury. It is a miracle that this open insult has not yet elicited a challenge to meet at sunrise for defense of national honor. Surely the international peanut gallery knows exactly what kind of provocation and insult to honor it is witnessing. It is like spitting in a person’s face. When do we finally get the “Make
I agree that Iran must defend its honor. When will we finally see Iran’s “Operation Make My Day”?
I think the world—even the USA—would “get” that message.
Katherine
It might not be a bad idea to name any action in response to this face spitting as “Operation Make
Did the Tanker sail in British waters, is the Waters outside Gibraltar British? If so doesn´t that mean that what the british did is legal?
This is piracy – plain and simple.
I actually think that Iran welcomes this action. They are fed up with years of abuse. Iran can now retaliate. And in retaliation there can be no question as to who initiated the hostilities.
I am still hoping that Russia and China can work together to stop a war, but it appears that the west in resolute in provoking one.
I am puzzled as to why an Iranian oil tanker would be near Gibraltar. It is nearly 2,500 miles from the Rock of Gibraltar to Damascus. Did the Iranians send a tanker around the Horn of Africa? Or did it travel through the Suez and decide to travel 5,000 miles out of its way before making its delivery? Neither of these scenarios make sense to me.
It seems to me that it would be easier for Iran to get oil to Syria via a land route, perhaps not.
Does anyone have an explanation for this?
The Iranian tanker had to take a detour due to its age as many ports will not allow it to dock. Decades of sanctions have crippled Iranian fleet.
“The Iranian tanker had to take a detour due to its age ”
Rubbish!
It is simply too big to go through Suez. No mystery.
Egypt has banned Iranian oil from reaching Syria via the Suez.
If Iran seizes a UK tanker in return…..remember SAS are already out there to protetct UK shipping….sounds like plans have been very well prepared for a provocation…..
The Anglo Zionist empire is now engaging in piracy in order to provoke Iran to strike somehow anyhow so that they have a legitimate reason to strike.
What is troubling about this is the cooler more rational heads in the foreign policy establishment who don’t want war (because the costs of said are prohibitive) are being slow walked to an inevitable confrontation with Iran thanks to the Zionists (and Israeli agents) that surround trump. Once the excuse via some type of Iranian provocation is provided both wings of the establishment will unite to begin striking Iran overtly and once Iran (if they do) respond the gloves will be off.
This kind of choreographed stage play being allowed to run its course in the media and by the politicians which makes me think the green light has already been given and the rest is just positioning and posturing.
No one has brought this up yet: Iran shot down a us drone reportedly worth 150 million. What is the cost of the oil and tanker to Iran (200 to 300 million?). Trump said he didn’t want to strike Iran because it wasn’t proportionate. It seems he found his proportionate response and we are already engaged in a tit for tat with iran that will lead to wider conflict.
Hornswaggler: I think your analysis is spot on. Events are being manipulated to force a violent step that will break the impasse. However, the one thing that “never” happens is what all observers expect. We should look for something indirect.
Facts that apply: The stronger side is imbued with hubris, and does not feel the need for much care in planning and strategy. The weaker side must think long and hard about all options, and must execute carefully.
The Empire always has at least two objectives in each war: (1) whatever the immediate strategic goal is, and (2) to demonstrate to the peanut gallery of nations the absolute military superiority of the Empire. Come to think of it, the second is by far the most important goal. The first is only the occasion for the demonstration of martial power. That is why wars are so easy to start for the West, and so hard to extricate itself from.
In the current case, the West has supplied a series of casus belli, each more provocative. Personally, I expect that all the state actors on the non-Empire side have already concluded that the war has started. But being the “weaker” side, they are elaborating their preparations. The definitive response from the East will announce to all that “formal” hostilities have begun.
Still in the personal vein, I want to say that the residents of Sakerville are my friends in a way that almost no one else is. All the best to you all.
In this context the ships in the Gulf that had holes blasted in them make more sense. Just preparing the propaganda battlefield and pre-emptive brainwashing of the western populace for the war narrative should Iran actually respond in kind to this hijacking.
Yes indeed,by their Imperial arrogance they have no idea if a full blown conflict breaks out with Iran many people will die and they won’t all be Iranians,the area is infested with Nato and US Warships,many will be on fire same as US bases in Saudi Arabia,as for the SAS it would probably be the SBS,but good luck with that.
This is obviously an Anglo-American provocation to bait Iran into an action that can be propagandized by the Free Press(tm) as a causus belli for overt American war against that nation.
Even a cursory examination of history will show that this is a standard American tactic of deception: staging provocations designed to bait a country that America wants to attack into an action that will allow the USA to present itself as (snicker) an innocent victim just minding his own business who is reluctantly forced to wage war out of self-defense.
The sinking of the USS Maine and Lusitania, the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, Pearl Harbor, or the American Reichstag Fire of 9-11 are only some of the provocations that the Anglo Americans have staged.
As the Mossad motto goes: By way of deception thou shall wage war.
Wait and see what happens when something pulls a 180 on the aggressor, from private history we know the boiling point of hypocrisy is not only fatal, but then the lack of memory defaults and the whole process starts all over again. Soon there shall arrive a time where the memory loss is demanded to be a thing in the past, and the witch who refuses to melt, is burnt like a house made out of straw.