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If Iran Wants To Start Something We Will Be Happy To End It
- Iran deployed two warships off Yemen threatening to further escalate tensions after the U.S. fired Tomahawk cruise missiles destroying three coastal radar sites.
- Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said President Barack Obama authorized the strikes at the recommendation of Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
- Human rights groups have expressed outrage over the deaths and accused the U.S. of complicity.
Iran deployed two warships off Yemen threatening to further escalate tensions after the U.S. fired Tomahawk cruise missiles destroying three coastal radar sites in Houthi-controlled territory, a U.S. official confirmed to Fox News on Thursday.
Iran sent the ships to the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's most vital shipping routes, “to protect trade vessels from piracy,” Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
Still, analysts warn the move could ratchet up the danger to U.S. forces in the region. U.S. intelligence has linked Iran to the funding of Yemen's Shiite rebels, who have also waged a series of attacks against Saudi Arabia, a longtime U.S. ally.
The U.S. official said the Houthis indeed fired missiles targeting American ships twice over just four days. The ships were not hit. The U.S. destroyed the coastal radar sites early Thursday.
Fox News is told one of the Iranian ships carries the same type of anti-ship missiles the Houthis were suspected of firing this week, and the other ship carries a helicopter. White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz said the U.S. would not speculate on the Iranians' intentions.
A U.S. official told Fox News a Chinese warship and Russian intelligence ship were in the same region Thursday.
In January, Iran's Revolutionary Guard captured 10 U.S. Navy sailors after their two boats drifted into Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf. The Americans were released roughly 16 hours later. The U.S. also accused Iran of engaging in dozens of “unsafe and unprofessional” interactions with the U.S. Navy, including the shadowing of a U.S. patrol ship last month.
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Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said President Barack Obama authorized the strikes at the recommendation of Defense Secretary Ash Carter and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford. He added that these were limited self-defense strikes conducted to protect U.S. personnel, ships and freedom of navigation.
The USS Nitze launched the missiles, Cook added.
Meanwhile, the state news agency Saba — under Houthis' control — quoted an unnamed military official as saying that U.S. accusations that a U.S. destroyer had come under attack from areas under control of Houthis were false.
Sharaf Loqman, spokesman for the Yemeni Army, called it an “American farce to find a reason to interfere in Yemen directly after failure of the Saudis.”
He said that the army never targets ships outside the territorial waters and only those that enter the Yemeni waters come under attack.
The missile attacks came on the heels of two other attacks against Saudi sites. A ballistic missile fired from Yemen apparently targeted a Saudi air base near the Muslim holy city of Mecca, the deepest strike yet into the kingdom by Shiite rebels and their allies. The rebels fired another two missiles into the Saudi Jizan region along the border on Monday, wounding two foreigners who worked there, the local civil defense said in a statement.
The Houthis and their allies have offered no reason for the launches, though they came after a Saudi-led airstrike targeting a funeral in Yemen's capital killed more than 140 people and wounded 525 on Saturday.
The U.S. cruise missile launches come as the U.S. considers withdrawing its support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis following Saturday's airstrike on the funeral and other troubling incidents of civilian casualties as a result of the Saudi bombing campaign.
Human rights groups have expressed outrage over the deaths and accused the U.S. of complicity, leading the White House to say it was conducting a “review” to ensure U.S. cooperation with longtime partner Saudi Arabia is in line with “U.S. principles, values and interests.”
The last missile attack on a U.S. Naval ship was on the USS Stark in May 1987, which was in the middle of a six-month patrol in the Persian Gulf when it was hit by two missiles fired from an Iraqi fighter plane. A total of 37 sailors were killed during the attack.
Fox News' Bret Baier, Kristin Brown, Kara Rowland, Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
30 Comments
The troops of our allies need to be involved militarily & financially. Future strikes by anyone could mean the end of life as we know it. Iran has the nuclear power to hurt America & wants nothing more than an excuse to use it.
White Privilege Survey is ridiculous. My Niece had a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, was promised a promotion, taken over to see the new office and the empployees she would be directing. After a conflict with her boss, nothing more was said. Long story short – went to two Attorneys and she was told “IF YOU WERE BLACK YOU WOULD HAVE A WINNING CASE”. IN OTHER WORDS, BECAUSE SHE WASN’T BLACK, SHE COULDN’T SUE. THAT’S WHITE PRIVILEGE FOR YOU. As far as Russia, Iran and other enemies what do they care what the U.S. say or does. Afterall, the last 8 years and if Hillary gets elected, another term for Obama. The world knows Obama is a “talker” not an action guy. The world has been laughing at the U.S. since he has been in office. They know Hillary and him do nothing. Look at Bill Clinton, U.S.S. COLE WAS BOMBED, NOT A THING DONE. American used to be the strongest nation in the world and now we have the weakest Military and military equipment in the world thanks to this administration. Our men ans women could be restored to the strongest again if THEY HAD THE CORRECT BACKING AND THE WHITE HOUSE LISTENED TO THEIR GENERALS – NOT LIKE PLAYING A GAME OF SOLDIERS WHEN THEY WERE KIDS. THEY ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH, CROOKED, LIARS, NO TRANSPARENCY AND IF SOMETHING CROOKED COMES TO LIGHT, THE NEWS MEDIA COVERS IT UP.
The Japanese killed over 15 million Chiniese with shovels and hoes , China killed over 10 million of their own just here in the 60’s and both are still fighting, but the USA dropped a Mushroom on Japan and they laughed at us and we dropped a 2nd one on Hiroshima, Nagasagia and got their attention and they have not tread on the USA since then. Stop walking around on their ground and eliminate the problem. Read history, not Hiallary’s lies and you will see that the protestant christains where being eradiacatied by the Muslims since 500 ad and could not live in peace and god told them to hire Columbus and go to America.
The Califate controlled all of central Asia in 1492 with the same goal as today which is to eliminate all none radical Muslums , including their own Christian muslims. USA needs some Vetting process now.
Iran need to be put back into their place
we have always protected our interests around the world and should. however, until we can get out leaders in check we will be powerless. absolutely no leadership at the top. greed and power is all important.
These countries have nothing but war on their minds in taking from each other. It is who has the best weapons. I wish the USA would wash their hands with these people but the thrat of nuclear materials getting in their arnments is scary.
The USA should not have any troops in any foreign countries (Currently over 100 countries). We are not the policeman of the world. Let each country be in charge of their own affairs. If any of the following countries: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, Afganistan, Pakistan, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Canada, Japan, India, Ceylon, Gabon,
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mexico, Chile, Germany, Russia, Italy, China, Switzerland, Norway, etc. have a leader or a REGIME which the leaders of our country are opposed to, then just leave them alone. HOWEVER, if they attack our homeland (Militarily: biological warfare, chemical warfare, nuclear warfare) then congress declares war and we literally destroy and annihilate that country, then we don’t occupy it, we just leave it in complete desolation. A few years ago congress voted to build a wall along the Mexican border. Our government (republicans and democrats) did not fund this bill. I am worried about the terrorists (ISIS) who are infiltrating our country by coming through Mexico into the USA. Therefore build a wall between Mexico and the USA.
We cannot any country to threaten our sovereignty of the sea. If we are in international waters we have every right to be there and even in some cases i.e. protection of american lives, in territorial waters. Iran has become a bully of sorts and we cannot back down. We should now deploy a carrier i.e. stay one step ahead.
because threatening the united states and or any of its citizens cannot and will not be tolerated especially after the money we gave them and the nagotiations.
Thanks to a President that’s muslim with no balls we are the laughing stock of the world. If they want to mess with our navy we can and will defend ourselves without the ok from our ball less president
We have managed to lose the respect of the world over the last seven years. Many of the worlds more violent and volatile countries have come to believe that we are weak and can be pushed around..
We have to put an end to this by standing up. We just have to get their attention by making a show of strength and force.
What choice do we have? They are only trying to goad us into a confrontation and we cannot allow anyone to stop us from using those waters.
We should not be pushed around. If we let this go by without action they will come to our beloved United States of America
Obama gave Iran everything in a basket, and they return the favor by chanting “Death to America”. They will reap what they sow.
The United States Navy has Every Right to Patrol in those waters, If the iranians want to start something, They do so at their OWN Peril !!!
Iran’s is committing unprovoked attacks on International waters. It is time for the US to put a stop to that and make them pay the price for doing so!
We need to take out all Iranian nuclear capabilities, including any capabilities of launching them. If they retaliate, then those retaliations must be put down also. This is no time for diplomacy as they are widening their military capabilities. At some point it will be too late to stop them.
u can let the bully kick sand in your face , just so long. Before he will back down
u can let the bully kick sand in your face , just so long. Before he will back down
Fuck those rag heads!!!!!!!!
So wad is all this postering you loud mouths,You stardet this shit and naw you Pissing and moing .The entire US foran polecy is noting but bullshit .Like the indien sayd with men [speaking with forked tang] The have vigert aut this scummgabs a long time ago,and the still du.
Iran have not rules, so, we dont must rules with they. If they press the tigger our misil must to be in air.
Enough is enough ,we need to show that we are still one of the most powerful countries and not to be pushed around.
Its past time that these small countries realize that we are the world power not them. If they feel froggy jump.
They need to learn we have the best Navy in the world
We’ve tried “walking softly now we need to carry a big stick”.
Hey supreme leader of Iran–Want to see Tehran glow in the dark??
DONT BOW TO FOREIGN LEADERS JFK & REAGAN WOULD NOT BOW OBAMA IS GUTLESS
If these people want to provoke us, I say go in and capture, or kill them, seize or destroy their bases and equipment. Continue until they unconditionally surrender or are wiped out!
They hoodwinked Kerry and Obamma but we need to impress on them that we will not tolerate aggressive moves in the Middle East and the sponsoring of terrorists to attack us. I just hope that Obamma hasn’t stripped our country of it’s ability to both defend ourselves or dictate policy