Comments on: Iran Escalates Confrontation

By: ganzo azul

ganzo azul — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 03:18:41 +0000

The following makes you wonder if Mr. Ahmadinejad is able to control and or even coordinate al-Quds tactics with his diplomatic strategy.
Times Online
“In December, US troops arrested and expelled two Iranians in Baghdad accused of being members of the al-Quds force, a unit responsible for foreign operations. Five other Iranians seized in January in northern Iraq on the same pretext remain in US custody.

Britain will be hoping that the release of its captured servicemen does not become entangled in the fate of the detained Iranians.”

By: crosspatch

crosspatch — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 19:21:59 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) â€” Oil prices spiked above $62 a barrel Friday and gasoline futures continued to surge as unrest in the Middle East and Nigeria helped vault front-month crude prices to their highest level since December.

…

“There’s a good solid list of fundamental supports for the market,” said Citigroup Global Markets energy analyst Tim Evans. “There’s nothing on the other side of the scale,”

At the top of the list was Britain’s Ministry of Defense saying Iranian naval vessels seized 15 British sailors and marines in Iraqi waters. Britain said the personnel were “engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters,” and had completed their inspection of a merchant ship when they were accosted by Iranian vessels.

By: CatoRenasci

CatoRenasci — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:07:01 +0000

“Owing to the summary rejection by the Iranian [German] Government of the request made by Her[His] Majesty’s Government for assurances that the sovereignty neutrality of Iraq[Belgium] would be respected, all interference with British military personnel operating in Iraq would cease immediately, and all British military personnel detained by the Iranians would be returned unharmed immediately, [His] Her Majesty’s Ambassador in [Berlin] Tehran has received his passport, and [His] Her Majesty’s Government has declared to the [German] Iranian Government that a state of war exists between Great Britain and [Germany] Iran as from 11pm on [ August 4] March 24, 2007.

Precedent…. on could only wish the Brits had the nads left….

By: crosspatch

crosspatch — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:45:16 +0000

I suspect they are attempting to scare up the price of oil on world markets. They are in a bit of a financial pinch and if they can create some regional turmoil that raises the price of oil by a few bucks, they make millions more dollars per day.

By: MerlinOS2

MerlinOS2 — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 15:47:03 +0000

The timing suggests trying to influence British vote on UN Sanctions tomorrow.

By: The Sandbox

The Sandbox — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 15:31:21 +0000

Iran Seizes British Naval Forces…

From Skynews:The Government is demanding the immediate and safe return of 15 British sailors and Marines seized at gunpoint by Iranian forces. They were taking part in a routine operation boarding merchant ships in Iraqi territorial waters when they we…