"Iran Seizes South Korean Tanker" Topic

"Iran's Revolutionary Guards have seized a South Korean vessel "for polluting the Persian Gulf with chemicals", amid rising tensions between Iran and the US during the final days of Donald Trump's presidency.

Iranian news agencies published photos showing Guards speed boats escorting the tanker MT Hankuk Chemi and said the vessel's crew members, including nationals of South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar, had been detained.

The tanker is being held at Iran's Bandar Abbas port city…"

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Amicalement
Armand

Just like Un … they have to get attention to try to let everybody know they are still relevant. And more importantly their leadership has to show their supporters they are standing to US and one of it's allies.

They also know in a short time it will be the new POTUS's problem. Maybe he can fly plan loads of pallets of $100 USD bills again. We saw how well that worked out … 😁😎

If the South Korean ship was doing something illegal than they need to pay up; if not then South Korea is strong enough to do something about it. The US should stay out of this. And definitely not send more pallets of cash to the Iranian regime, and I don't care if is was their money; we should have kept it.

When/if the tanker is freed, that port should be eliminated.

Send a strong message to Iran that piracy won't be tolerated.

The pallet-loads of Iranian cash should have been transferred to those kidnapped and held by the Iranians, and their families, with great pomp and circumstance, AND televised around the globe for ALL to see, instead of giving it back to such a corrupt regime.

A ginormous parade through Washington D.C. would have been great.

I agree, some of the money should have been given to the tortured fifty-two American diplomats, Marines and citizens taken by Iran in 1979. I was in the Persian Gulf for 5 months in 1979, just prior to this event, and it was tense at times.

I wonder what Iran wants from South Korea that made them swipe a bargaining chip. Possibly technology, South Korea can make almost anything now, including a few things the Chinese can't make yet. If the boat is suddenly returned I'd guess the Iranians got some answers on jet engine manufacture.

The South Korean military is very potent, but I'm not sure if they can project power that far, yet.

Never mind, they're just asking for money.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Iran Demands South Korea Unfreeze $7 USDBN In Assets Held Due To US Sanctions While Detaining A South Korean Tanker Crew

"Iran on Tuesday accused South Korea of holding $7 USD billion of its funds "hostage" but stressed that Tehran's seizure of a Korean tanker in Gulf waters was not a tit-for-tat move.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Monday sent out naval speedboats to seize the Hankuk Chemi with 20 crew aboard, accusing it of "breaking maritime environmental law".

South Korea has demanded the release of the ship and dispatched its anti-piracy unit to the region…"

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Amicalement
Armand

From Military.com – link

And definitely not send more pallets of cash to the Iranian regime, and I don't care if is was their money; we should have kept it.

Yes, but that was another case of appeasement. That happened frequently at that time by the US gov't in power. The Iranians should have got nothing then or hopefully now … and like it.

When/if the tanker is freed, that port should be eliminated.

Send a strong message to Iran that piracy won't be tolerated.

Agreed … but I doubt it will happen with the upcoming "new" leadership.

And here again as with the Sami Pirates a few years back. The Maritime Law makes in illegal for cargo ships to carry weapons for self defense. I.e. "To repel borders!" Simple answer would be to hirer PMCs to do the mission. Which IIRC, in some cases that was done to combat the Sami pirates. But certain measure had to be taken to not be in violation of Maritime Law, IIRC.

I agree, some of the money should have been given to the tortured fifty-two American diplomats, Marines and citizens taken by Iran in 1979.

Agreed !

As I posted on another thread here. Iran also took over our Embassy and held our people hostage for over a year. When I was in the 101, as a Rifle PL, we went on alert when our rescue team failed. We/I have no "love" for the IRGC and their fundamentalist leadership.

The South Korean military is very potent, but I'm not sure if they can project power that far, yet.

At this time the ROKs have little to no force projection capabilities, AFAIK. I left the ROK after 22 months, '84-'85. For them to do a major projection of force they'd need the USA's assistance. But as we see from the article, "South Korea has demanded the release of the ship and dispatched its anti-piracy unit to the region…"

However, generally they have their hands full prepping to keep the North Koreans from crossing the DMZ. And attempting to make the South a "Workers Paradise" …

Never mind, they're just asking for money.

Yep, again this is just the Iranian leadership, IRGC, etc., trying to get more $USD For their long ongoing "pet" project of getting deployable nukes. Plus as I said they are posturing, etc., to poke at the USA by pirating a US ally's ship.