US warns Iran as armada enters Gulf

THE US today threatened new UN sanctions to punish Iran's nuclear drive as it ratcheted up tensions with the biggest display of naval power in the Gulf in years.
A bristling US armada led by two aircraft carriers steamed into waters near Iran for exercises, hours before UN watchdogs said Iran was expanding its uranium enrichment program in defiance of international sanctions.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran continues to enrich uranium - which can provide fuel for civilian reactors but also make nuclear bombs.

That prompted warnings from US officials of further UN punishment unless Iran curtails its nuclear development - which the Islamic republic insists is devoted to civilian energy.

"Iran is once again thumbing its nose at the international community," US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said, as US and Iranian envoys prepared for historic talks on Iraqi security in Baghdad next Monday.

Iran denied obstructing IAEA inspections, but White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the report by the UN atomic watchdog was damning.

The IAEA assessment "is a laundry list of Iran's continued defiance of the international community and shows that Iran's leaders are only furthering the isolation of the Iranian people", he said.

The US Navy said the Gulf exercises were not directed at Iran but Mustafa Alani, senior analyst with the UAE-based Gulf Research Centre, said it was no coincidence the powerful flotilla arrived on the day of the IAEA report.

"The aim of this step, which coincides entirely with the end of the UN deadline (to suspend enrichment), is to send a clear message to Iran that a military option is available to Washington," Mr Alani said.

The carriers USS John Stennis and USS Nimitz sailed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf along with a helicopter carrier and amphibious assault ships carrying an estimated 2200 marines.

"We do maritime security operations here to reassure friends in the region of our commitment, and certainly this is a viable commitment and a visible one that helps security and stability in the waters here," said Commander Kevin Aandahl, a spokesman for the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

"From a historic point of view we haven't done this type of operation with this number of ships in a couple of years at least," Commander Aandahl said. "I guess what's significant here is them all coming at the same time."

US warns Iran as armada enters Gulf | The World | The Australian

Two of our Supercarriers just stoppin' by to say howdy!:thumbsup:

Have a good one!:s4:

By all means this justify Irans intentions...whos the agressor me thinks its the USA

IAEA reports Contradicts major media narrative on Iran
The Blog | Sean-Paul Kelley: IAEA Report Contradicts Major Media Narrative On Iran | The Huffington Post

I know you want war P4B but the majority of americans do know this is a farce....If we dont take back our Nation now then we will be bleeding over it regardless if were ready or not

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Originally Posted by eg420ne

By all means this justify Irans intentions...whos the agressor me thinks its the USA

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LMAO! Now we don't have the right to go into international waters? Ya know eg, on the other side of that swimming pool there are quite a few countries damn glad that we do play there.

Have a good one!:s4:

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Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud

LMAO! Now we don't have the right to go into international waters? Ya know eg, on the other side of that swimming pool there are quite a few countries damn glad that we do play there.

Have a good one!:s4:

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Name a few!

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Originally Posted by medicinal

Name a few!

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Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Quatar, Bahrain, UAE.............hows THAT for a list?:thumbsup:

Have a good one!:s4:

OOHH those countries the ones who rule by an iron fist.The ones who know nothing of human rights those countries.MMM glad im Canadian