Iranian weapons convoy sunk?
posted at 10:08 am on April 27, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Ha’aretz reports that an Iranian vessel of arms destined for Gaza mysteriously sunk just as it attempted to dock and transfer its cargo. According to the original report in an Egyptian newspaper, the ship got attacked by either Israeli or American naval forces, continuing an effort to interdict the flow of weapons to Hamas and Hezbollah (via Report on Arrakis):
An Iranian vessel laden with weapons bound for the Gaza Strip was torpedoed off the coast of Sudan last week, allegedly by Israeli or American forces operating in the area, the Egyptian newspaper El-Aosboa reported on Sunday.
Anonymous sources in Khartoum told the newspaper that an unidentified warship bombed the Iranian vessel as it prepared to dock on Sudan before transferring its load for shipment to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
These sources said they suspects U.S. or Israeli involvement in the attack, but neither Washington nor Jerusalem have released a statement yet on the matter.
Considering the original source, this could be just some paranoia by the Egyptian media. If the munitions exploded on their own or due to a mishandling by the crew, their “anonymous sources” could probably trace the conspiracy back to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and provide org charts to show it. If it rains, Israel wants to flood them; if it doesn’t rain, the Jews caused a drought.
Of course, it would be an encouraging sign if this were actually true. Israel and the US have demanded international cooperation on stopping arms shipments to Gaza for years, to no avail. If we’ve moved beyond pleading to actual covert interdiction, then great. It won’t halt them altogether, as Iran will just throw more resources at the problem, in the same manner as Mexican drug cartels getting shipments across the border through the shotgun process. However, it will raise their costs, and eventually the Iranians may run out of mules.
If anyone’s doing this, I’ll bet on the Israelis over the US, especially given the new administrations in both countries.
Update: Yeah, yeah, I know that a convoy refers to multiple ships, but a blogger can hope, can’t he?
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Thank you, Ed!!
ProfessorMiao on April 27, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Yes, thanks so much Ed!
Y-not on April 27, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Sweet, but now we should Dresden the port from which it left.
Tony737 on April 27, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Seriously, for real?
Knucklehead on April 27, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Do the Israelies habe subs?
saiga on April 27, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Yes… and the rumour is that they are armed with Cruise missles…
And then theres that rumour of Nukes…
And the fact that they happen to rotate their subs on Patrol, just like we do our Boomers….
Kinda makes ya go… hmmmmmm…
Romeo13 on April 27, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Well we’ve just about silenced Mac, so there is hope. On the other hand, we need a good laugh now and then.
N4646W on April 27, 2009 at 12:00 PM
So the boat had an equipment malfunction. Who take credit for the malfunction?
seven on April 27, 2009 at 12:01 PM
That is indeed the Aussie Mk 48 taking apart one of their old hulks.
A young Lieutenant once asked the Old Man, after a damage control exercise, why we always practice being hit by missiles and not torpedos. The CO looked at him with a less than tolerant look on his face and asked why he wanted to practice being dead?
Jim708 on April 27, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I seem to recall that Israel doesn’t have nuclear capable subs, though. I have a vague recollection that they had a deal with France to buy some a couple of years ago but that France cancelled out on them. Am I wrong (I hope so!)?
ProfessorMiao on April 27, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Wonderful!
You’re going to want to thoroughly sterilize that ban hammer now of course, it probably has swine flu virus all over it.
DarkCurrent on April 27, 2009 at 12:07 PM
The grim reaper cometh…
Akzed on April 27, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Monday morning just got a little brighter. Thanks Ed.
USA USA USA USA USA!
portlandon on April 27, 2009 at 12:12 PM
We have 3 German Dolphin class subs, if memory serves me correctly.
It’s your guess as well as mine as to whether Israel made them nuclear missile launch capable.
Shy Guy on April 27, 2009 at 12:12 PM
ing
It wasn’t us, sadly.
peacenprosperity on April 27, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Finally.
Thank you.
AZCoyote on April 27, 2009 at 12:14 PM
The Subs themselves are not Nuc subs…. Last I heard they had 3 Electric boats… German Dolphins, and had just bought 2 more but don’t know if they have been delivered yet…
I was talking about the “rumour” that Israel has nuclear weapons…
Add that to Cruise Missles… which can be launched from under the water…
Put the two above technologies together and you have one Leg of the Old US MAD triangle of deterence.
Romeo13 on April 27, 2009 at 12:16 PM
How long before getahusband returns under a new name?
Del Dolemonte on April 27, 2009 at 12:18 PM
For those interested: Israel’s Navy Website
Shy Guy on April 27, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Who knew the Somali pirates have subs?!
/
Christien on April 27, 2009 at 12:18 PM
W00T!
Sekhmet on April 27, 2009 at 12:18 PM
It seems to me that the intel people (and the smarter news organizations … StratFor, anyone?) should be watching how the Iranians are scurrying on this one. If they look unhappy, it’s probably an accident. If they look like they just found something smelly and sticky in their pants, there’s a fair chance it’s a deliberate sinking by someone who knew that there was something very bad on that ship.
njcommuter on April 27, 2009 at 12:20 PM
A very serious and sincere THANK YOU Mr. Morrissey.
Rovin on April 27, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Keep an eye out for Benny S.
DarkCurrent on April 27, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Farewell getalife, we hardly knew ye.
aengus on April 27, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Read on the tombstone:
Getalife
4-27-09
Here lays get’,
Ed planted her raw.
She was quick on the trigger,
But slow on the draw.
Yoop on April 27, 2009 at 12:26 PM
How do you say “Sleeps with the fishes” in
AustrianIranian?Christien on April 27, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Thank you Ed. It’s so difficult to sift through the comments
trying to avoid the ridiculous contributions from getalot.
dragondrop on April 27, 2009 at 12:27 PM
That’s right, German subs. (I checked and Israel cancelled a contract to buy several more in the early 1990s).
I, for one, hope they can launch nuclear missiles.
ProfessorMiao on April 27, 2009 at 12:29 PM
For my money, it is the SEALs.
Sir Napsalot on April 27, 2009 at 12:31 PM
So, it could be a submarine, but I doubt it. I’m thinking Israeli commandos attached explosives to the bottom of the hull and set it off. Or, the Iranians blew themselves up.
Nethicus on April 27, 2009 at 12:31 PM
German Dolphin class subs that Israel has.
Schwarze Tulpe on April 27, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Ed is my HERO!
deidre on April 27, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Huzzah!
argos on April 27, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Thank you Ed for reaching and out helping getalife be all that she can be elsewhere.
Rod on April 27, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Yes, thank you Ed.
dominigan on April 27, 2009 at 12:53 PM
That was probably Bibi’s baby. Blub, Blub!
Steve Z on April 27, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Obama does not = America.
Only slightly 1/2 of voters represented Obama. The other slightly less than 1/2 voters represented other people-like McCain.
Voters do not even represent all of the American public.
So how does Obama=America?
Badger40 on April 27, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Did you have to get a tech guy to ban the computer program that getalife is?
Badger40 on April 27, 2009 at 1:03 PM
If Israel did this with actual naval forces, they would have come from Eilat if they came by water. The distance isn’t very far, but Egypt would have had a good shot at knowing any Israeli patrol craft from Eilat was operating. Egypt watches that area with a fair amount of vigilance.
It wouldn’t have been an Israeli submarine or one of the larger patrol ships, which are homeported in the Mediterranean. They would have had to come through the Suez Canal, and Egypt would have known about that.
If the freighter in question did indeed explode when it was about to dock, the most likely explanation — IF it was an attack — is a special forces operation. Israel is well able to mount such an operation, and it could be done without a naval ship loitering overtly in the area. It’s much less likely that a patrol craft followed the freighter into a harbor area and THEN attacked it.
It would be out of character for the US Navy to have done this. Even under Bush, we didn’t attack and sink the arms carriers heading for Gaza.
J.E. Dyer on April 27, 2009 at 1:08 PM
O/T – Thank-you Ed. HA will be much better without that annoying troll.
News like this ship sinking and “get” gone made my Monday!!
infidel on April 27, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Thank you. I was really getting tired of the “cons” reference.
long_cat on April 27, 2009 at 1:37 PM
The Loch Ness Monster strikes again.
I have it on the highest authority that Nessie was not directly involved, but I can neither confirm nor deny whether she helped train the assets that carried out the action.
The Monster
Well, we know that some Scots don’t take kindly to terrorists and will “have at them” if given the chance.
Nessie?…perhaps.
SKYFOX on April 27, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I, for one, will miss ‘getalife’s’ contributions (and understand I’m using the term ‘contributions’ in their most liberal sense.)
Sometimes it’s nice for the varsity to have a freshman to ‘tune-up’ on…
CaptFlood on April 27, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Best. Thead. Evah!
loudmouth883 on April 27, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Much thanks for reducing the signal-to-noise ratio!
deesine on April 27, 2009 at 2:10 PM
(in my best princess leia voice)“Help us BB Netanyahu youre our only hope”
Viper1 on April 27, 2009 at 2:20 PM
They only seem like programs because they have been programedm errr indoctrinated so well Badger40
Jim708 on April 27, 2009 at 2:43 PM
PS, can anyone point me to the thread where ol’ get did the self imposed ban? Seems likely to be a fun read.
Jim708 on April 27, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Here, 1:32 PM
DarkCurrent on April 27, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Here, 1:32 PM
DarkCurrent on April 27, 2009 at 2:54 PM
OMG, He’s gone? Voldemort is gone? Hoooooraaaay!
El_Terrible on April 27, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Sudan has a coast? I`ll need to check a map again.
ThePrez on April 27, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Seems to me this was one arms dealer going after another’s shipment. Just follow the money.
nolapol on April 27, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Red Sea. I know because I did an in-depth report on Sudan in 1970 (4th grade)
DarkCurrent on April 27, 2009 at 3:17 PM
If this was a case of muslim buttterfingers, then they are prottected by the full force and faith of the US Constitution and, if charged, will be supplied with lawyers; else if US sailors did this terrible human caused tragedy, then they are subject to International law and will not be allowed a phone call or given laywers.
Friendly21 on April 27, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Tzetzes on April 27, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Intercept?
Tzetzes on April 27, 2009 at 3:38 PM
HAHAHAHA
I am so glad Getalife got banned!
blatantblue on April 27, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Cute. Let me help you stick to your promises, then.
Ed Morrissey on April 27, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Thank you, sir. You have made everyone’s Monday.
kingsjester on April 27, 2009 at 4:30 PM
1 flipped flopped like McCain on torture.
getalife on April 27, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Cute. Let me help you stick to your promises, then.
Ed Morrissey on April 27, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Many thanks Mr. Morrissey. I never would have minded the inanity but there was never any debate.
I guess this is V-G day!
itsspideyman on April 27, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Thank you, Ed. Way to go!
The signal side of this high signal/noise blog just got stronger.
NaCly dog on April 27, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I just wanted to post on the thread that getabrain was banned on… Sweeeeet! Almost as good as hearing that an Iranian weapons ship was sunk… Is that part true too… Steak and potatoes tonight!
RalphyBoy on April 27, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Thanks.
Loxodonta on April 27, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Thanks Ed…….
……. I know you don’t like to cut off intelligent, informed, respectul debate on the issues,
and in this case……
…….. you did not.
Seven Percent Solution on April 27, 2009 at 5:30 PM
/faith restored.
//golf claps
44Magnum on April 27, 2009 at 5:45 PM
According to Global Security, the Israeli Navy have 3 submarines.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/navy-equipment.htm
nelsonknows on April 27, 2009 at 6:07 PM
I’m confused; is this a referrence to the Iranian ship, or to Getalife being banned?
massrighty on April 27, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Uh…. Yes?
Romeo13 on April 27, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Heh, not even a single sign of rudeness on getalife’s part. Oh well, that’s one way to win a debate.
radiofreevillage on April 27, 2009 at 7:35 PM
She meant to ban herself. It was a favor really, as the merciful blow of the kaishaku.
DarkCurrent on April 27, 2009 at 7:47 PM
A two-fer to start the week.
1. Some public minded captain gives arms smugglers a short-cut to Davy Jones’ Locker.
2. Captain Ed lowers the boom on ‘Getalife.”
Thanks mates! Prepare to splice the main brace! Methinks we’ll need to give the skipper a new moniker. “Ed ‘The hammer’ Morrissey” has a nice ring to it.
Orson Buggeigh on April 27, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Getalife, as seen on YouTube
gregbert on April 27, 2009 at 9:15 PM
My bet is on Israel. They’ve had women PM’s before. We’re experiencing our first female president just now.
Mojave Mark on April 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
You serve in Desert Storm as well? You are right on the mark, I saw it first hand, and I’m not talking about the Iraqi’s. They sucked too, but they were only half of our problem during that operation. Our Arab allies were the other half of the problem, we couldn’t get them to fight on their own, the would only follow those white devil American’s into battle.
But still, war is a ugly and costly thing (in patriotic American lives) and should be used only as a last resort or in self defense as a first resort.
Hog Wild on April 27, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Hey, if Iran wants to arm Gaza, I say let’s help by contributing a torpedo or two…
landlines on April 28, 2009 at 1:23 AM
Thank the heavens, and thanks to Ed. Gotnolife’s comments always caused me to close down the threads earlier than I used to.
DannoJyd on April 28, 2009 at 1:48 AM
Exactly my thought. IMHO, there is no way that B.O. could find the spine for such a move. I mean, he is a democrat, ya know? Besides, how would that assist his puppet master, Soros?
DannoJyd on April 28, 2009 at 2:05 AM
Let me get this straight here. Given how the Muslims are basically declaring it’s all the Israelis’ fault no matter what it is hard to credit that they believe nothing happens without Allah approving it and causing it. Allah is all powerful. Nothing is more powerful than Allah – - – except Jews. They are in violation of the core belief of their so-called religion.
Fascinating.
{^_^}
herself on April 28, 2009 at 2:59 AM
I don’t know. It COULD have been Obama, except for one small thing…he didn’t announce it ahead of time. Remember, this is the man that told everyone that would listen that he would launch “secret strikes across the border into Pakistan.” Like McCain said back in the debates, there are things a President has to do to keep the country safe, but you don’t TELL everyone. And since Obama didn’t get out on the news and say that he was secretly authorizing sub strikes against the arms ships, I think we can safely rule him out. :-P
Highlar on April 28, 2009 at 9:35 AM
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