Royal Navy sends a THIRD warship to the Gulf
 

things heating up:

Iran doubles down on threat to attack Britain over ‘vicious’ oil tanker seizure as Royal Navy sends a THIRD warship to the Gulf

IRAN’s supreme leader has threatened Britain with retaliation over the “vicious” seizure of an Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar.

As tensions escalate over the tanker row, it's been revealed that the Royal Navy is set to send a third warship to the Persian Gulf this summer.

It comes as an Iranian bomb boat was found in the path of a second British warship – the HMS Duncan – which is currently racing to the flashpoint.

Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused Britain of “piracy” after the Royal Marines seized a supertanker believed to be carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria on July 5.

He has called for the immediate release of the oil tanker Grace 1, which was detained on suspicion it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

In a TV speech, the Ayatollah said: “Evil Britain commits piracy and steals our ship and gives it a legal appearance.

“Iran and those who believe in our system will not leave such vicious deeds unanswered.”

The comments were made as concerns grow about a UAE-based Gulf oil tanker, the MT Riah, which went missing in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.

Tracking data from the MT Riah last showed it heading for Iranian waters.

A US defence official said on Tuesday the US “has suspicions” the tanker has been seized by Iran.

Tensions between Iran and the UK have spiralled since the Iranian Grace 1 oil tanker was seized by the Royal Navy earlier this month off the coast of Gibraltar.

Iran has threatened to seize a British tanker in retaliation if the Grace 1 is not released.

FLASHPOINT
Three Iranian boats also tried to seize a BP oil tanker as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday July 10.

Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose - which was escorting the tanker through the flashpoint region - was forced to sail in front of the boats.

After quickly training its 30mm deck guns on the enemy boats, deploying its Wildcat helicopter and issuing a radio warning, the Iranian boats scarpered.

HMS Duncan has since been deployed to patrol the busy shipping lane as all UK flagged vessels were put on the highest security alert level over fears of retaliation from Iran's Revolutionary Guard.


BOMB BOAT 'LYING IN WAIT'
But an Iranian bomb boat was found in its path, meaning the HMS Duncan could have been destroyed by the unmanned attack ship packed with explosives, the Mirror reports.

It was spotted by Saudi forces near to the destroyer's route - currently heading to protect shipping in the Gulf.

The Mirror reports sources believe the armed ship, which can be steered remotely from four miles away, was sent out into the Red Sea by Iran's Houthi allies before it was discovered.

Former naval officer Simon Warrington said: “The threat from the Houthis, who as Iran’s proxy militia do Tehran's dirty work, is very real.”

Colonel Kemp, a former UK Armed Forces commander, had warned that while Grace 1 remained in custody in Gibraltar, Iran would continue to seek revenge and the Royal Navy needed to be prepared to respond.
ROYAL NAVY SENDS THIRD WARSHIP

The MoD today announced a further Type 23 frigate, HMS Kent will be deployed later in the year to replace the Duncan when it reaches the end of its mission.

And the tanker RFA Wave Knight will be sent to the region in August to perform duties delivering food, fuel, water and other essential supplies to Royal Navy and allied ships.

The MoD stressed that the new deployments were a “routine” part of the ongoing Operation Kipion and not a response to the recent escalation of tensions in the Gulf.

The HMS Kent underwent a £24million upgrade in 2012 including a revamp of her complex weapons systems.

Key upgrades include a new 4.5-inch (114mm) medium-range gun plus new 30mm close-range guns on her port and starboard sides.

She also had a new command system, target control radars and new towed array sonar fitted.


https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/952237...third-warship/


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Just waiting for those Iranian "pirates" to f*ck with the wrong captain on a commercial ship, where the crew are actually warriors.

Looks like it was a Panamanian tanker. Sucks for them they don't have a Navy to protect their ship and their interests worldwide. Panamanian drivers will now be paying more for their fuel.

Iran pirates seize TWO BRITISH TANKERS today! (They boarded one and then let it go, but kept the second one, and the crew as hostages.)

Time for The UK to unleash the kracken.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/954426...rd-royal-navy/

I hate to say it, but I blame England for this. Every single ship that transits past Iran needs to be in an escorted convoy.

Great Britain is not the world power it used to be but can still deliver a major ass kicking to Teheran

It is really too bad that no one has the balls to incinerate Iran. Personally, I'm sick of them. But then again, I have a total dislike for any of those savages in the middle east.:yesnod:

Iran is trying to tilt the cards towards them. The sanctions are working well and their economy is in bad shape. The citizens are getting more and more fed up.

Perhaps they think by being a bully, we'll talk to them and remove sanctions for them "behaving". Not going to happen with President Trump. The latest sanctions closed off the finances of the iranian leadership.

Ever since that jackass no balls peanut farmer was president, Iran has gotten more bold with their actions. The saying is "knock them down a step on the ladder". I say just rip the ladder out from underneath them and crush them.

The Iranian people want relief, the sanctions are doing their job. The newest sanctions are squeezing the top for a change, seems like a decent plan. :seasix: