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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| NATO: Iran's threats to close Hormuz a 'fantasy' |
| 2008-11-04 |
| The commander of NATO's naval forces says Iranian threats to close a strategic Persian Gulf waterway are imaginary. Vice Admiral Maurizio Gemignani of the Italian Navy is visiting the oil-rich Gulf state of Kuwait. He said Tuesday that he considers the threats Iran has made to close the Strait of Hormuz a "fantasy" and the international passages cannot be blocked. Iran has warned that it would close the strait if the United States attacks it over Tehran's disputed nuclear program. About 40 percent of the world's oil passes through the strait. Three NATO ships arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday to promote military cooperation. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #9 The Italian surface forces I worked with were professional. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-11-04 20:15 |
| #8 I've read that in WWII, while the Italian army lacked....uh..enthusiasm, the Italian navy was quite competent. Don't know if that holds true today. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2008-11-04 18:55 |
| #7 Again, while the World remembers the "BISMARCK versus HOOD" + the German U-BOAT threat ala BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC, it was in the Mediterranean agz the smaller Italian Navy which proved to be the Royal Navy's "Ironbottom Sound" for its surface warfare fleet, espec for its destroyers and cruisers. PM Churchill fired several top Brit Air-Naval Commanders over their failure to stop Brit losses and defeat the Italian threat to North Africa + Gilbraltar + Suez. ALTHOUGH ITALY FINALLY LOST IN THE MED, THEY CAN CERTAINLY CLAIM TO HAD SCARED/INTIMIDATED THE BRITS AND CAUSED BRIT POLITICOS-ADMIRALS TO BITE THEIR NAILS A FEW TIMES, EAT THEIR NECKTIES, ETC. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-11-04 18:14 |
| #6 He has great confidence in the U.S. Navy. It's all that counts. Excepting the usual suspects (Japan, England, France) the ROW is either by force of circumstnace or natural predilikckshun..... targets. |
| Posted by: .5MT 2008-11-04 14:20 |
| #5 It is comforting to have an Italian vice admiral in charge. Could be worse.... could be raining.... |
| Posted by: Lftbhndagn 2008-11-04 13:24 |
| #4 It is comforting to have an Italian vice admiral in charge. Better than Spanish, I suspect. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2008-11-04 13:11 |
| #3 He has great confidence in the U.S. Navy. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2008-11-04 12:54 |
| #2 Well, if anyone knows anything about vice, it's the Italians.... |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2008-11-04 12:27 |
| #1 It is comforting to have an Italian vice admiral in charge. |
| Posted by: bman 2008-11-04 12:07 |