Well, looks like the Iranians, who I've read are brilliant chess players (the jury is really out on that, in this case), may have overplayed their hand this time, by seizing a British tanker by force, admitting it, and then showing the video of it on-line.
link
Epic fail in the "how to wind friends and influence people" on the world's stage, from my viewpoint, by Iran's leadership.
Prior to that, the USA seemed to be one of the few, if not the lone vocal opponent to provocative actions in the Gulf region (add in Israel and Saudi Arabia if you like).
Perhaps others in the EU/NATO will also finally see how dangerous the current Iranian regime is to others around the globe, but especially in the Middle Eastern region.
Admitting this tit-for-tat action seems to be a major mistake, and to rub salt into the wound, even worse is the release of the video.
America is now energy independent, and a net exporter of oil and natural gas, so these incidents have little effect on our nation. Europe, and many others around the globe don't have that luxury, and depend heavily on Gulf oil exports. Perhaps they'll now take concrete steps to better protect their interests in the region.
No doubt, this incident will prod the British leadership, and perhaps even some/many of the British people to side against Iran's provocative actions, and questionable leadership.
Sadly, this was all too predictable, and its a shame this wasn't prevented, since the Iranians threatened this for weeks, before this occurred. I'm amazed that their tankers were so dangerously unprotected given the steep escalation of hostilities in the region of late. Clearly, a major fumble on that front.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out going forward.
My guess is that all commercial vessels will need to have armed guards on them, and/or a robust naval escort close by and willing to engage the pirates/Iranians, when they try this sort of thing in the future.
Men armed with Stinger missiles on board the tankers could really ruin a helo pilot's, and his passengers' day, in short order, preventing the landing of helo borne troops from gaining easy access to the vessels.
The confrontations by Iran will continue until they're smacked down militarily, for their provocative actions, just like was done under Operation Preying Mantis, back in the day.
