Crossfire War – Tehran Convenes War Council Meeting

Crossfire War – Tehran Watch – Persian Gulf Theatre: Tehran/washington; Iran Supreme Leader Convenes War Council Meeting to Prepare for Attack By US – Nuclear Powered Carrier Uss Eisenhower Enroute to Persian Gulf – Arrival Date Oct 21 – Iran Threatens Shipping in Strait of Hormuz – Price of Oil Could Double – Triple

Night Watch: TEHRAN – AKI reports, that according to the Iranian online daily, Roozonline, Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei convened an emergency security meeting which was used to discuss a possible attack by the United States by sea – air and the possibility of sanctions on Iran.

Khamenei emphasized the need for Iran to present a unified front. In attendence were: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani, the heads of Iran’s army and Revolutionary Guards Corps – the Pasdaran and the grandson of Ayatollah Khomeini, Hassan Khomeini. [AKI]

According to the website Baztab, which is controlled by the Revolutionary Guards, headquarted in Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf, “…the United States is gaining positions in the sea and countries close to Iran in case the Pentagon wants to launch an attack on the Islamic Republic.”

Tehran suspects the Pentagon has already drafted plans to attack Iran’s nuclear installations and military bases by sea-air. Baztab continued, “If the presence of US Navy ships in the Persian Gulf turned into a real threat on the Islamic Republic then the region’s oil pipeline would explode, as would mines in the Hormuz Strait, when oil tankers pass through so as to make the price of oil double or triple. ”

There are reports that at the time of the Eisenhower’s arrival another aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, will also be near Iran’s coast. But ever since U. S. President George W. Bush began discussing an attack on Iran as an “option on the table” two years ago, Iran’s Defense Ministry stated they would not let the U. S. attack first. Earlier this year the news reported Iranian military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf and in mid – August Iran began five weeks of wargames, involving almost their entire military, including some of its latest technology. The maneuvers just ended three weeks ago and I stated at the time Iran’s military would not be idle for long.

I cannot see Tehran waiting for the Eisenhower and Enterprise to arrive before Iran attacks U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf. As the bases are attacked Tehran could have Hezbollah start the next wave of fighting against Israel and this time Damascus – Tehran will join it. That could prevent Israel and the U. S. from conducting combined operations. European units in UNIFIL and their naval ships in support of them, could also come under fire as Tehran has militia groups in Iraq concentrate more of their attention on US/UK occupation forces in Iraq.

They may also direct al-Qaeda, from their bases in the Sinai Peninsula, to attack shipping in the Suez Canal, which would also have a direct impact on the price of crude oil. Tehran may then decide to test the accuracy of their longer range missiles. In an attempt to disrupt any potential military cooperation between Delhi and Washington, Tehran could have Islamic militant units in Kashmir increase their attacks against Indian forces there, which would cause India to use its “hot pursuit” policy and follow them into the part of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan, setting off the fourth war between them.

By the time the Eisenhower and Enterprise arrive they may first have to engage Iran’s naval and air forces.

www.crossfirewar.com

Willard Payne is an international affairs analyst who specializes in International Relations. A graduate of Western Illinois University with a concentration in East-West Trade and East-West Industrial Cooperation, he has been providing incisive analysis to NewsBlaze. He is the author of Imagery: The Day Before.