I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 22, 2020
Just days ago, I wrote: “The Iranians may soon come to regret behaving as if Obama were still putting his feet up in the Oval Office.”
Iran has been pushing for war with the United States for decades. Get the details, and the full facts of the present situation, in The Complete Infidel’s Guide to Iran.
Halal Bacon says
nice
joe says
Thank you Mr. President
Boromir's Horn says
The politidextrious President shows what a world power looks like. Handling the overwhelming logistics of a pandemic, putting a 60 day freeze on immigration, simultaneously putting a rogue regime like Iran and corrupt organization like WHO both on notice, all while fending off countless attacks by the liberal press and Democratic Party. This President gives no quarter, unlike the “change” from the last occupant. MAGA 2020
Terry Gain says
Unlike Obama, who believed bad behaviour should be rewarded, President Trump has a lot of common sense. Iran is a paper tiger and will be dealt with accordingly.
Iambob says
I don’t believe Obama believed ‘bad behavior should be rewarded’ as much as I know he partnered with Iran and all other Islamic states/terrorist groups (adjuncts of the Muslim Brotherhood) in bringing America to her knees-laying the groundwork for her total and complete destruction.
He was treasonous in his intent, calculated in his methodology, devious in his rhetoric and deliberate in his actions. He was much more than a mere Islamic sympathizer.
He was a loyal follower of Islam engaged in covert, subversive civilizational jihad against the West, in general, and America in particular.
mortimer says
Obama was a puppet in the hands of the deep state. They made his decisions for him.
Avenger says
John McCain was a puppet of the deep state, they directed his decision making. Obama actually used the deep state, influencing or directing it’s tentacles of policy and subversion.
Terry Gain says
No. The deep state was a puppet in the hands of Obama.
Boromir's Horn says
Terry Gain, agree with this exception : *is*, not *was* – he’s still calling the shots
Avenger says
Thank you Iambob!
This is the most accurate description of the Obama era that I’ve ever read. A presidency focused mainly on dismantling American culture and heritage.
Terry Gain says
lambob
Obama said he thought the Iran deal would improve its behavior. I agree with the rest of your comment.
Boromir's Horn says
I’m John Kerry and I do not approve of this pro-American, anti-Iranian message
somehistory says
Just publicly declaring the intent, may put an end to the harassment. But, moslims are really stupid people…otherwise they wouldn’t believe the lies told to them when reality is all around them…so the “leading stupid” people of Iran may not believe Mr. Trump actually ordered this, or that the Navy will do as ordered.
Steve says
Okay so what are the Rules of Engagement (ROE) and do they have to wait until fired upon and then still wait for permission from higher up to shoot back? Given the ROE in Iraq and Afghanistan the U.S. didn’t learn a GD thing from Vietnam.
I would really like to know EXACTLY what Trump said / direct to DOD. See it in writing.
Terry Gain says
Are you now or have you ever been on an Iranian gunboat?
Frank Anderson says
T.G. my stepfather was in Vietnam. He said he was standing near a checkpoint when a 5 year old boy threw a hand grenade yelling, “Play Ball!”. The pin was pulled. It was live.
mortimer says
Platoon and company commanders need a lawyer in the field, but they study the law applying to their position. In a matter of self-defense, the diplomats usually want to avoid diplomatic repercussions, rather than protect soldiers. Sometimes it’s impossible to do both. Frontline soldiers are sometimes pawns to be sacrificed in a deal with the devil.
Frank Anderson says
mortimer, for many reasons I have low, low, low regard for diplomats. If it is you, me, or our children being endangered, screw the diplomats. We are not sacrificial pawns to their high living.
you recall my appreciation for the Presbyterian teaching that all children are the responsibility of all adults; mother and father have such rights as there are, but the rest of us have the same duties.
mortimer says
Response to FA re diplomats: the goal of diplomats and lawyers is opposite. Lawyers want to make their statements as clear and unambiguous as possible. Diplomats want their statements to be as obscure and ambiguous as possible.
mortimer says
Maritime interdiction operations (MIOs) are naval operations, that aim to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies en route to the battle area before they do any harm against friendly forces, similar to air interdiction.
Frank Anderson says
mortimer, there are many subjects where people know a whole lot more about them than I do. I accept that my thoughts must be limited in scope to personal self defense and hope similar rules would apply when defending a ship and its crew, both being in the service of the US flying the US flag, especially in international waters where it is considered without question US territory..
A 5 year old boy being used as a suicide weapon. . . .no time to call a general, consult a lawyer or a useless diplomat. The first duty of any soldier, sailor or police officer: come home in one piece at the end of the shift.
gravenimage says
Some diplomats have been real patriots, and tough when it is called for. Not all, though.
Frank Anderson says
GI, I can think of UN Ambassadors Stephenson and Bolton and Haley as examples of candor and courage. But how many belong in the league of Neville Chamberlain for treachery and incompetence?
Captain says
Good comment.
Politicallyincorrectistruth says
Yes…but, Iranian gunboats cannot fly. Trump just should not speak sometimes…..planes get shot down, gunboats get sunk.
“I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.”
Terry Gain says
I completely disagree with you. President Trump’s issuance of this warning to Iran makes war less likely.
gravenimage says
Agreed, Terry.
Ken says
Some people just can’t help themselves, i wish I had the time to sit back and pick apart what the president says. We know what he meant. At least this president don’t bow down and constantly apologize for the American people like that last so called president done, I’ll take this president any day of the week.
gravenimage says
+1
Halal Bacon says
it is a reference to the shot down drone
Westman says
Interestingly, to “shoot down” Iranian gunboats the ship’s gunners must shoot down and after being shattered the direction of the gunboat movement is down.
Obviously, the term “shoot down” was intended as in a western movie where the sheriff shoots down the perp. Shoot em’ up and shoot em’ down has the same connotative meaning, just like flammable and inflammable.
My, those gnats taste terrible….
Westman says
And the camel was indescribable.
Bezelel says
when the boats sink, which direction will they go?
Frank Anderson says
When I was in law school, the first semester of the first year (1977) included the course on Criminal Law. We discussed an ancient case from the UK before it was the UK where an archer shot and killed a man who had a lit bottle or jar of flammable liquid about to throw it at the wooden structure where the archer was standing, called a keep. I have been trying to find the cite of that case, which was in the class casebook, almost certainly from Foundation Press, totally without success, including requests to the law school library, Foundation Press and the Library of Congress. I am not making this up. There are many other cases that can be found and cited for the same rule. I prefer to start from the beginning and am disappointed that I cannot.
The conclusion of the case is important to this article. It is NOT necessary, expected or required that defensive action, including the use of deadly force, must wait for the first strike before self-defense becomes a protected right. After the ancient version of a Molotov cocktail hit the wooden fortification and it caught fire, every person inside was in peril of death or great bodily injury. The archer was acquitted and the court issued what I recall as the earliest written explanation (opinion) in the 3 years of law school.
In many countries outside the US, where no written Constitution applies, the law of self-defense seems to have been repealed, making it a crime to act in one’s own defense. That is contrary to the law recognized by every civilized society as long as people have been living in communities.
It took one boat getting too close to a US ship in Yemen to kill a number of sailors and do hundreds of millions of dollars damage to the ship, almost sinking it. Allowing these boats to play around our ships today knowing full well Death to America and ongoing state sponsorship of terror is behind their “play” is sufficient to treat these as actionable threats to the lives, health and safety of our people and property.
Please consult a currently licensed attorney practicing in your jurisdiction for any legal advice.
I would be humbly grateful for any assistance in finding the case I have described.
mccode says
Thank you, Frank.
Your analysis is, I believe, common sense and practical, especially relevant to the circumstances of a perilous situation that requires immediate action to defuse the danger.
Frank Anderson says
M. as one who has had to live every day of my adult life prepared for personal self defense, be certain that I will not be the second to shoot. At this time I am too old, fat and slow to take chances.
underbed cat says
In defense of the risk of American ships being threatened by boats with large guns riding along side our ships, and young men hearing the Presidents warning to beware and stop the harrassment, the idea that any muslim is killed by anyone other except a muslim is known in Islam as” killing without right” . The document was published in Unconstrained Analytics.org was very interesting and informative….so in this instance and many other terror attacks muslims never consider they may not have a right to cause harm or killing. So when complaints and fibs start to fly from Iran, about a sunken boat that may even tried to cause harm or shot first they never think they are anything but innocent victims…and will vigoriously deny any wrong doing, just wait for it if a boat goes under they and the media will cry foul Very interesting read….and should be understood so we can be prepared for their complaints and the if the press does it’s normal “speak or report no evil even if true, and cries islamophobia we can refer to their document to fib and throw off guilt. These boats are iching for a fight, hope they can swim or better yet run out of gas.
Frank Anderson says
U.C., I think many who read here are sick of the idea that we should care about “muslim sensitivities” when it comes to protecting the lives, health, safety and property of non-muslims from muslim attacks. It is time to make them not just worried, but TERRIFIED of OUR sensitivities. As I recall and welcome correction 17 US sailors DIED on the Cole when a small boat loaded with explosives was allowed to get too close; THE COLE TAKING NO DEFENSIVE ACTION WHATEVER BEFORE THE EXPLOSION. The damage repairs required a special ship to load the Cole and carry it back to the US for repairs, total cost well in excess of 100 million dollars.
There are those writing here who would sink every boat, and even ship and airplane, that can be found if another attack is staged. I like that idea for what little my opinion matters. I have never liked to fight once just to fight again. I have always believed in winning any fight on such clear terms that the opponent would never dare attack me again. If that offends any of my enemy’s sensitivities, ?fill in the blank? my opponent. I am paid by the fight, not the hour; and I am not paid to bleed, but to make the enemy bleed..
The lawyers who dragged me out of accounting school to help them with starting a practice, and along the way teaching me how to start my own called this process and approach, “Christianization”. Some people need to receive impressive force to see the light of Jesus. And they were good Christians while I follow Jesus my own unusual way. If I were choosing the weapons there would be so little left of the boats, EVERY boat I could find. I doubt anyone would be worried about swimming. What is left of them would be too busy floating.
If they got really pissed about Soleimani, think about the impression sinking dozens or hundreds of their “speedboats” IN SPLINTERS would make. “You can run’ but you will just die tired!” “One death is a headline; a million deaths a statistic.” It could be a good time to watch the later part of Clint Eastwood’s Outlaw Josey Wales for inspiration.
Daniel Triplett says
Right, when someone is pointing a gun at you, you’re not required to wait for him to pull the trigger before killing him first.
Beyond the gunboat issue, sovereign “Death to America, Death to Israel” proclamations, along with a nuclear weapons program pursued to accomplish their proclamations, means Iran is pointing a gun at us. We can either wait for them to glass Tel Aviv, Manhattan, or DC first, or we can can pull the trigger preemptively, castrating them with standoff nukes to eliminate their nuke production facilities and existing arsenal, then forcing a regime change.
That’s how I’d do it anyway.
Frank Anderson says
D.T. my opinion based only on public sources, Israel will not be hit. It may be fired upon; but with the layers of defense it is not likely to be hit. The same cannot be written about Iran.
Daniel Triplett says
Israel has awesome air defense. Their ability (and ours) to destroy airborne mortars, rockets, and missiles is amazing. I watched it firsthand myself during my own military service in the OEF/OIF AOR. I could publicly speculate on a dozen other ways to attack us with nukes, but I won’t do it here. Don’t want to give the enemy ideas.
Bottom line, neither Iranians, nor any Muslims (like Pakistan) can be trusted with nukes…like liberating an evil genie from the bottle, with staggering consequences. The Pak problem is bad enough. Just a matter of time before a devout PM decides to martyr his countrymen and his self for the fast track to Jannah by igniting Armageddon. Or, a devout Mujahideen group figures out how to buy or steal nukes from the Paks.
Most Americans and Israelis agree that Iran must not be allowed to possess nukes (which you and I have previously agreed they already do). Though we should have eliminated this threat yesterday, and have earned the future scorn of our descendants for our inaction, we can’t allow this mistake to metastasize further into a problem for which Americans, Isaelis, and all of humanity pays enormous price.
The Iranian nuke program must be destroyed ASAP. They will not be ‘talked’ out of their objectives and allegiance to Allah. This requires a kinetic solution. Iran, of course, is just the start, due to their proximity to nuke breakout. We have a 1.8 billion strong problem to deal with beyond that, but that’s beyond the point of this post.
Frank Anderson says
D.T. I have a great regard and personal loyalty to Israel. There are, like you, certain subjects I do not discuss. I wish our care would be more effective. The problem is that nuclear weapons have been part of the picture for 75 years. Not only is Herman Kahn’s On Thermonuclear War available (I have a copy in my collection) so also is The Effects of Nuclear Weapons published by the US Government Printing House. I first read Kahn’s book while in high school. A friend, nuclear trained Army graduate, introduced me to the Effects.
Terrorists are plotting their attacks using every trick they can imagine and creating more every day. “They only need to be right once; while we must be right every time.” I don’t think there is any reason to trust islam or any of its adherents to do anything except be muslims who follow the “final, perfect, complete and unchangeable” teachings, practice and examples of 1400 years of slaughter. NAME ONE GOOD DEED by a muslim or muslim society that benefited a kafir/infidel. I don’t think there are any.
I salute you for your service, experience and knowledge.
Jerry Morgan says
It’s about time we take a stand against these evil Muslims. Death to Iran.
mortimer says
A consortium of stakeholder countries should cut a sea-level canal through the Musandam Peninsula In Oman and this part of the mullahs’ psycho-drama will end.
Frank Anderson says
M. How would that compare with the Suez Canal? With huge modern excavation machines, the cost and feasibility might be worth considering. It would have to be deep for the super-tankers.
Terry Gain says
Frank Anderson
IMHO, issuing a warning to those who menace makes preemptive action even more justifiable.
Frank Anderson says
T.G. for several reasons I think you are correct. The warning has been issued. I do not think it needs to be repeated. They assume the risk they will be dealt with knowing full well that is the US declared plan. Search “assumption of risk” for more and better explanation. As the US handles its own war crimes cases, US law should have a substantial if not controlling bearing on the outcome.
Terry Gain says
Frank
I prefer to use volenti non fit injuria rather than assumption of risk. The first legal doctrine I recall being discussed in law school was animus revertendi.
If we don’t use Latin whenever we can, people may get the impression that we aren’t any better than them.
Frank Anderson says
T.G. we used animus furandi for evil intent. “intent to steal”. I may use it more broadly than real scholars. But I am certain that I am doing well to be as good as others; and have no dreams or delusions of being better.
As I understand “assumption of risk” it is the knowing and voluntary encounter of a known risk and is the final step on the scale starting with simple negligence, contributory negligence, contributory fault, and finally assumption of risk.
James Lincoln says
Frank Anderson says,
“The warning has been issued. I do not think it needs to be repeated.”
Absolutely 100% correct.
The Iranians better not try this again – the United States Navy will NOT put up with this very provocative behavior again.
Pres. Trump will follow through on his warning with overwhelming force – GUARANTEED.
mortimer says
Donald Trump is an expert golfer. He knows what his goal is and drives straight at it in most cases. Gold is a decisive game of skill rather than a game of strategy.
Terry Gain says
I am an avid golfer who used to boom my drives in excess of 250 yards. I’ve seen the golf swing of Mr. 5 for 1, or if you prefer Mr 2 for 22.
I doubt that Obama could drive a ball more than 125 yards. I will however give him his due. He is much better at deception than President Trump
James Lincoln says
Terry Gain,
I used to be at a pretty decent golfer, routinely shooting in the mid-high 70s. I gave it up for the ridiculous reason that I would never win the U.S. Open.
I recently picked up the game again, going in with a completely different attitude – try to have some fun, exercise, and camaraderie, and keep the ball on the fairway.
Nothing wrong with “bogey” golf…
Rich Cole says
It’s about time. Thank you Mr. President.
R Russell says
I hope the US is keeping a close watch on the 3 new drone bombers Iran has which fly at 45,000 ft and have a range of almost 1,000 miles and monitor ‘enemy’ movements.
Frank Anderson says
To people “my” age, a “while back” (not my original joke) could mean anything from a few days ago to 15 or 20 years ago. But, a “while back” Israel used a pair of Patriot missiles to shoot down a drone more for firepower demonstration and target practice than concern for its “payload”. For all the hype given to Russian missiles, they are not the only players. I speculate that if Iran can shoot down one of our drones with Russian missiles, we should have no problem returning the favor with ours “Go ahead. Make my day.”
owensgate says
I think we should take out their new “satellite” they just put in orbit. Give our “U.S. Space Force” a “raison d’être”; after all, we should dictate which nations can put satellites in orbit, or shoot them down if they breach our airspace. No telling what is on them.
owensgate says
An awesome decision. But I would take it a step further – I would obliterate the port facilities they launched from as well. The worst decision one can make regarding war is “a proportional response”; this only results in continuation of conflict by attrition, until one side or the other give up out of boredom or financial exhaustion. No, what to do is whack them so decisively they have a second thought about their coming destruction, and halt, desist, and sue for peace.
Peter says
Destroy the Iranian navy, not a few boats.
Savvy Kafir says
Excellent! Definitely a step in the right direction.
So few of the West’s political “leaders” display any common sense (or guts) when dealing with Muslim thugs. This straightforward, common-sense approach to Iranian thuggery seems almost miraculous, after eight years of watching Obama bend over for Muslims.
Bezelel says
How many speedboats do we have to destroy to equal a pallet of cash?
Frank Anderson says
B., ballpark the boats and all equipment at 200,000 each, and the crew at 50 cents a head. See where that takes you. I wonder how well a Hellfire missile would splinter a “speedboat”? A drone can carry 16 Hellfire missiles. The US has a lot of drones and Hellfire missiles. Target practice.
Bezelel says
For instructional purposes, I should think the effects of the Phalanx needs to be studied. 🙂
Frank Anderson says
B. the phalanx is quite often loaded with depleted uranium bullets to kill incoming missiles. I can’t imagine that these cartridges cost less than 100 dollars each, maybe more, and the phalanx shoots somewhere around 4000 per minute. You might check me on the details. I welcome correction when I am in error.
One thing I would do is to make any delivery system as silent as possible, none of the whistling and sirens that we hear in WWII films, so that targets simply explode without notice. Terror for the terrorists.
Bezelel says
No doubt it wouldn’t be a cheap thrill but the visual of a bunch of holes where a boat was, well at least once. It was love at first sight when I saw a video of it.
Frank Anderson says
B. as part of my playing I reload 50 BMG cartridges for a buddy. At the cheapest they work out to a little over 2 dollars each, and easily hit 5 when the best bullets, powder and cases are used. There seems to be only 1 choice for primers. I predict 20 mm without the depleted Uranium bullets would cost around 10 dollars each. Wonder who would have the greater thrill, the shooter or the target on his way to paradise?
If the Iranian “navy” needs practice, it can practice on Iranian ships, if there are any fit to leave port. Practicing on vessels where you and I are in control could be painful, if not suicidal.
Bezelel says
One Christmas when I was preschool my dad gave me several army surplus items. All sort of uniform patches, a hollow grenade, a .50 cal bullet and a 20mm bullet, (both inert). The bullets were fascinatingly huge. Yeah I dare say, being duly authorized by the Commander and Chief to use lethal force against aggressors, that we could reduce the iranian navy to row boats before they knew what hit them.
Frank Anderson says
I had the pleasure of taking my friend’s 50 BMG to test fire some of my reloads and to zero the scope, which handled the recoil without problem (remarkable and appreciated). The muzzle brake amplifies the noise to the point that I was knocking things off the wall in the host’s (range’s) building. I came up with the idea of an anti-muzzle brake to direct the noise down range instead of at the shooter and to the side. Tested a model yesterday and it works nicely. Really want to try it on the big cartridge. I followed the suggestion with the 50 to use both ear muffs and plugs to protect what is left of my hearing-“A wise man harkeneth to counsel; A fool in his own eyes is always right.” Col TCH, Supt of military school I attended 12 years.
James Mide says
Amen to America and all allies. We should deal with Iran, Saudi Arabia and any other Islamic terrorists. We keep the law while they use it to brake us.
Ron aka Aunty Podes says
They say “know thine enemy”. You clearly don’t! To write Islam off as a paper tiger is just as bad as saying it is a religion of peace. It is neither. It is a barbaric system and way of life which is making progress with its jihad – the domination of the world. It is essential that more enlightened people recognise it as such, confront, fight and exterminate it.
gravenimage says
Fighting back is a good place to start. And while Islam itself is not a paper tiger, Iran’s navy compared with that of the United States certainly is.
OLD GUY says
Thank you President Trump, we need to stand up to these thugs. The only thing the islamic/muslims understand is strength, if you show weakness they will walk all over you, if you kick their ass they learn quickly to back off. Never let them get away with anything!
Frank Anderson says
O.G. MY OPINION not necessarily sound or shared by others. All I have read about islam both in the 30 or so books and in other places, any reliance by non-believers that a rational response will be obtained as a non-believer’s resistance is delusional. The difference I SEE between the response of totalitarian Communism and totalitarian islam is that islam wants and yearns for death. Communism aspires to power and lives of slavery for its subjects. Dead subjects do not serve well as slaves..
As I see it, the only logical way for reasonable people to respond to illogical people is to become illogical. How do we defeat their goals? How do we take away their incentive? What can we do to terrorize the terrorists? THE salient reason for dropping the atomic bombs on Japan was to save both Allied and Japanese lives. Tens of millions more people would have died in a land invasion of Japan than died as the war was cut short. Totally irrational people were forced to see the futility of their goals and end the war. That is a lesson I think can and should be applied now, before the death toll adds more billions (milliards) to the 250 to 1000 million already killed in the islamic conquest.
Showing strength by itself produces only a temporary restraint until islam gains enough strength to continue its global conquest. Leaving 1 square inch of territory as haven for preparing for future attacks only means the continuation of what has been going on for 1400 years. We must terrorize the terrorists and break their goals permanently, or suffer the eternal condemnation of all who survive under the muslim yoke, Look at the actions today of our Saudi “allies”. NO MUSLIM will ever be more than false friends of non-muslims.
gravenimage says
Dear Frank, while you are right that they are not logical, Muslims actually *have* backed off after a large show of force. We have in fact seen this happen many times, both historically and during our lifetime. There is, for instance, a reason why Israel’s Muslim neighbors are not continuing to overtly attack her.
Frank Anderson says
GI, I am certain with little or no doubt that you have read far more islamic history than I have. If one thing stands out to me, it is the total unreliability of any muslim promise of peace to anyone, including a suspected apostate or kafir. The honorable deal between Israel and Egypt is based on the sole fact that Israel was in a position to exterminate the Egyptian army and slaughter Egypt unopposed in the 1973 war. Instead Israel gave food and water to the Egyptians and let them return home alive.
As long as Egypt remains muslim the same teachings are being taught as have been taught for 1400 years. It is only a matter of time until a change of regime shifts from secular inclination back to the furious drive to continue the goal of world conquest, starting with Israel. Look at what happened and is happening now in Turkey: a formerly fundamentalist regime became secular long enough to get close to kafir Europe only to revert to standard, orthodox, fundamentalist islam and take every opportunity to continue the war of conquest.
One of the insights I have gained through a lifetime of witnessing, preventing a few, and dealing with suicides is knowing that many cannot be prevented, no matter how hard I wish or try. Some are not satisfied with killing themselves but wish to take others along for the ride. Why do suicide bombers take their own lives to kill kafirs. To get the reward they are promised.
The whole idea behind Mutual Assured Destruction, which is described in Herman Kahn’s On Thermonuclear War, is that neither side wishes to die, and therefore the credible threat of death prevents the war. When one side sees life as a time of misery and suffering, and death in the process of killing the path to luxury and paradise, MAD goes out the window. Anytime a muslim force has backed off, it has been temporary.
As always, with greatest respect, have I missed any time or place in history where a permanent mutual peace has existed between muslims and non-muslims?