Strait of Hormuz
- a Focal Point

Note that I am simply sharing items of interest. That does not imply that I agree with everything presented.

"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars ... nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes ..." (Matt 24:6-7)

U.S. Navy: Hormuz Disruption Won't Be Tolerated
CBS News.com / December 28, 2011

"The U.S. Navy said any attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz would 'not be tolerated,' after Iranian officials threatened to choke off the key oil supply route.

"Iran's navy chief warned Wednesday that his country can easily close the strategic strait at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the passageway through which a sixth of the world's oil flows.

"It was the second such warning in two days. On Tuesday, Vice President Mohamed Reza Rahimi threatened to close the strait, cutting off oil exports, if the West imposes sanctions on Iran's oil shipments.

"'Closing the Strait of Hormuz is very easy for Iranian naval forces,' Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told state-run Press TV. 'Iran has comprehensive control over the strategic waterway,' the navy chief said.

"In response, the Bahrain-based U.S. 5th Fleet's spokeswoman warned that any disruption 'will not be tolerated.'

"The West is about to impose new sanctions that could target the country's vital oil industry and exports.

"The U.S. Congress has passed a bill banning dealings with the Iran Central Bank . . . President Barack Obama has said he will sign it despite his misgivings . . .

"Iranian media are describing how Iran could move to close the strait, saying the country would use a combination of warships, submarines, speed boats, anti-ship cruise missiles, torpedoes, surface-to-sea missiles and drones to stop ships from sailing through the narrow waterway.

"A closure of the strait could temporarily cut off some oil supplies and force shippers to take longer, more expensive routes that would drive oil prices higher. It also potentially opens the door for a military confrontation that would further rattle global oil markets."

Iran Subs Poised to Torpedo US Warships in Gulf
Russia Today.com / January 19, 2012

"An Iranian commander has warned that Tehran is on full alert in case of enemy threats, and has the best submarines in the world ready to 'ambush and hit enemy vessels, especially US Aircraft carriers, from the seabed throughout the Persian Gulf.'

"The Iranian military official said the vessels can fire missiles and torpedoes simultaneously, underlining that the submarines' superiority was not just due to their arms and equipment, but also 'the tactical issues are very important', given the geographical specifications of the waters surrounding the country.

"Most analysts agree that it is not a matter of if a war between the US and Iran will break out, but when.

"Both sides are well prepared for a confrontation, and despite its relatively inferior military power in comparison with the US, Iran dominates the northern gulf and the Strait of Hormuz with its strategic geography."

U.S. Troops Quietly Surge Into Middle East
By: David S. Cloud / San Franciso Chronicle / January 13, 2012

"The Pentagon has quietly shifted combat troops and warships to the Middle East after the top American commander in the region warned that he needed additional forces to deal with Iran and other potential threats, U.S. officials said.

"The extent of the pentagon moves is only now becoming clear.

"Officials said the deployments are not meant to suggest a buildup to war, but rather are intended as a quick-reaction and contingency force in case a military crisis erupts in the standoff with Tehran over its suspected nuclear weapons program.

"The Pentagon also has decided to keep two aircraft carriers and their strike groups in the region."

The Heat Is On In the Persian Gulf
Bid to close the Strait of Hormuz would draw a quick U.S. military response
Ivarfjeld.WordPress.com / January 10, 2012

"U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Iran on Sunday that any attempt to carry out its threat to choke off the world's oil supply by closing the Strait of Hormuz would 'draw a quick U.S. military response.'

"'We made very clear that the United States will not tolerate the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz,' Panetta said.

"'That's another red line for us and we will respond to them.'"

Saudis, Gulf States on War Alert for Early US-Iran Clash
DEBKAfile.com / January 5, 2012

"The armies of Saudi Arabia and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council states stood ready Thursday Jan. 5, for Washington to stand up to Iranian threats and send an aircraft carrier or several warships through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf.Riyadh has been leaning hard on the Obama administration not to let Tehran get away with its warning to react with 'full force' if the USS Stennis aircraft carrier tried to reenter the Gulf or Iran's pretensions to control the traffic transiting the world's most important oil route.

"Wednesday night, the Iranian parliament began drafting a bill prohibiting foreign warships from entering the Gulf without Tehran's permission.

"DEBKAfile's Washington sources report that Saudi Arabia has warned the Obama administration that Iranian leaders mean what they say; their leaders are bent on provoking a military clash with the United States at a time and place of their choosing, rather than leaving the initiative to Washington."

Coming In 2012: Target Tehran
By: John Myers / PersonalLibertyDigest.com / January 4, 2012

"Target Tehran is a new production set to be released worldwide in 2012. Washington hopes it will be a blockbuster.

"The story is of an all-out air and naval assault on Iran by the forces of freedom and democracy: the U.S. Navy and Air Force. It is yet to be decided if the U.S. infantry will be written into the script; but with an unlimited budget, it very well may happen.

"Details of the story are undergoing final edits at the Pentagon. President Barack Obama has already signed on to direct the project. Insiders say it could save his career."

US Builds Hospitals in Georgia, Readies for War with Iran
Russia Today / RT.com / January 10, 2012

"The United States is sponsoring the construction of facilities in Georgia on the threshold of a military conflict in Iran, a member of the Georgian opposition movement Public Assembly, Elizbar Javelidze has stated.

"'These are 20-bed hospitals . . . It's an American project. A big war between the US and Iran is beginning in the Persian Gulf. $5 billion was allocated for the construction of these 20-bed military hospitals,' Javelidze said in an interview with Georgian paper Kviris Kronika (News of the Week), as cited by Newsgeorgia website.

"In addition, airports are being briskly built in Georgia and there are talks of constructing a port for underwater vessels in Kulevi on the eastern Black Sea coast in Georgia.

"Javelidze believes that it is all linked to the deployment of US military bases on the Georgian soil. Lazika -- one of Saakashvili's mega-projects, a new city that will be built from scratch -- will be 'an American military town'. According to the politician, 'a secret airdrome' has already been erected in the town of Marneuli, southern Georgia."

Thousands of US Troops Deploying to Israel
Russia Today / RT.com / January 5, 2011

"Without much media attention, thousands of American troops are being deployed to Israel, and Iranian officials believe that this is the latest and most blatant warning that the US will soon be attacking Tehran.

"Under the Austere Challenge 12 drill scheduled for an undisclosed time during the next few weeks, the Israeli military will together with America host the largest-ever joint missile drill by the two countries. Following the installation of American troops near Iran's neighboring Strait of Hormuz and the reinforcing of nearby nations with US weapons, Tehran authorities are considering this not a test but the start of something much bigger."

United States Financial Plan
By: surfish1961 / Cigar Bid Forums.com / December 9, 2011

Can you imagine running a country using these numbers? I love it when complex things are simplified so that we can all understand.

1. United States Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
2. Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
3. New debt: $1,650,000,000,000
4. National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
5. Recent budget cut: $38,500,000,000

Now, remove 8 zeros and pretend it's a household budget.

1. Annual family income: $21,700
2. Money the family spent: $38,200
3. New debt on the credit card: $16,500
4. Outstanding balance on credit card: $142,710
5. Total budget cuts: $385

Really brings the issue home, doesn't it? And shows that it cannot possibly be sustainable.

The Office of Inquisition Seeks Unity of all Christians During 2012
The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, formally known as the Office of Inquisition, stresses the need that all Christians be Catholic
News that Matters / WordPress.com / January 4, 2012

"Pope Benedict XVI released an 'apostolic' letter, Porta Fidei, proclaiming the Year of Faith for 2012.

"Starting Oct. 11, 2012 through Nov. 24, 2012, the church will focus of world-wide Christian unity. The dates are significant. Oct. 11th is the 50th anniversary of Vatican II. Nov. 24th the Roman Catholic church celebrates the feast of Christ the King.

"The Vatican state that this special year should be 'a propitious occasion to make Vatican Council II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church more widely and deeply known.'

Summary So you can see that the Strait of Hormuz has become a strategic spot in the threats and positioning that is happening between the west and Iran. Iran is saying that if an embargo is imposed it will close the waterway. The US is saying that it will not tolerate a closure and will do what it has to in order to keep the Strait of Hormuz - through which flows so much of the world's oil supply - open. We'll have to wait and see what happens. In the meantime we can be preparing physically and especially spiritually.

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28)

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