Russian
TV On The Gulf Of Oman Incident: A Classic Provocation
The
US has its finger on the trigger, looking for an excuse.
18
June, 2019
(Translator
note: I began my study of Russian 12 years ago, and though
I regularly watch Vesti, I
confess that my Russian is simply not good enough to translate direct
from hearing. German, however, is a different story: I passed the
Graduate Exam in German 54 years ago. So, for me to bring this to FRN
readers at all, I resort, thankfully, to Thomas Römer’s German
rendering)
The
Russian television about the incident in the Gulf of Oman
In the
Russian broadcast “News of the Week” Russian television has dealt
in detail with the incident in the Gulf of Oman. Unsurprisingly, it
is clear to Russian television that the USA has carried out a false
flag operation there. In contrast to the German media, the
contributions were very worthwhile, so I translated them.
First
came the introduction from the studio and then the report of the
local correspondent.
Start of translation:
On
June 13, two oil tankers, one from Norway and the other from Japan,
were hit by explosions in the Gulf of Oman, in the waters between
Iran and Oman.
The
Americans immediately accused Iran of a torpedo attack. Iran
immediately stated that this was a provocation and rejected all
allegations. The Americans have stepped up the degree of horror.
On
the 14th, Trump directly blamed Iran, presenting a fuzzy video as
proof that unknown persons on an unknown boat in the dark are doing
something above the waterline of an unknown ship. When the pictures
were taken is not known. Maybe 10 years ago. And it’s not clear who
filmed it and with what gear. Maybe it’s even stock footage. The US
Central Command claims that in the video the Iranian military is
removing an unexploded mine from the side of the tanker to cover
their tracks.
It
is not clear why the Iranian military should take the mine off. Who
even attached it? And what proves that it is Iranians in the footage?
Absurd, but for the US, this footage is the strongest argument
against Iran so far.
Of course, the situation in Bishkek was
discussed extensively on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization Summit in a bilateral meeting between the Presidents of
Russia and Iran. On the eve of the meeting Deputy Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that “premature conclusions that
would only pour oil into the fire.”
“I
would like to take this opportunity to warn against premature
conclusions, especially about attempts to shift responsibility to
those who displease a number of states,” said Ryabkov.
Britain,
however, quickly sided with the United States. Following the motto
“Yes, yes. It was Iran.”
Germany, however, cautiously
questioned the American evidence. “The video is not enough. Of
course we can understand what is shown there. But it is not enough
for me to make a final assessment,” said German Foreign Minister
Heiko Maas.
France
and also EU External Affairs Commissioner Mogherini spoke in the same
vein.
It
became clear that in the event of a US attack on Iran, Europe would
regard this as aggression. Europe and its NATO allies on the
continent clearly do not need this war.
However,
it is alarming that it is clear to everyone that the sabotage in the
Gulf of Oman is a classic provocation for the beginning of the war.
“News
of the Week” has already reported that Trump has sent an armada of
seven warships into the region, led by the aircraft carrier Abraham
Lincoln. Another missile destroyer, the Mason, with Tomahawks on
board, is also on the way. The region is now literally peppered with
American tomahawks. The Americans have their finger on the trigger.
All they lack is a reason to start a war. Now the occasion has been
constructed. This is dangerous.
Our
correspondent reports.
This
story looks like a provocation that Americans desperately need. The
attacks on oil tankers are certainly not in the interest of Tehran
and Washington’s evidence reminds us of Powell’s test tube. To
construct an excuse for war, Americans have often lied to the world.
After
the attack on civilian ships in the Gulf of Oman, the perpetrators
were quickly found in Washington. The US President even reported that
the magnetic mines found on the hull of one of the affected tankers
carry the Iranian signature. How Donald Trump thinks he knows that is
not clear: all the alleged evidence that has been presented does not
allow such a conclusion.
The
Central Military Command has spread the poor quality video widely.
The Americans said it was made by a reconnaissance plane. In the
recording, some boat approaches an unknown ship, after a short
manipulation on the ship’s side, it sails away again. Tehran
understandably explains that Washington’s allegations are absurd.
Common
sense is on the side of Iran.
Attacks
on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, i.e, endangering oil
transportation through the Strait of Hormuz, would primarily hit the
Iranian economy. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf of
Oman with the Persian Gulf, accounts for one-fifth of the world’s
oil supply. And now, given the US sanctions, it is particularly
important for Iran to be able to ship its oil to its customers in a
stable manner.
Incidentally,
one of the ships under attack is Japanese, and the tanker attack took
place while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was visiting Iran and
meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei. Abe should mediate during the visit
between Tehran and Washington to ease the tensions, but against the
background of such news, it is clear that the mission was doomed to
failure.
The
fact that the attack on tankers is only for the Americans is shown by
how quickly US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo responded. He already
accused Iran before the Central Command released the video.
“These
unprovoked attacks are a threat to international peace and security,
an open attack on the freedom of shipping, and an unacceptable
campaign to escalate tensions on the side of Iran,” Pompeo said.
The
Americans have already used the incident to reinforce their naval
group here. Another missile destroyer, Arleigh Burke with cruise
missiles on board, was ordered to the region.
Meanwhile,
crew members of the tankers evacuated from the ships made statements
that destroyed the already fragile American version. The sailors
claim that the tankers were attacked from the air. But that is
certainly not an Iranian handwriting. Before the attack on the
tankers an American reconnaissance and an attack drone flew in the
airspace. The Iranian military tried to shoot them with an
antiaircraft rocket, but did not hit them. However, these are
American statements.
Incidentally,
the Iranian military was the first to come to the aid and organized
the evacuation of the crew of the tanker Altair. On board were 11
Russian citizens. None of them was injured in the explosion.
Despite
Washington’s previous attempts to construct a serious pretext, the
allegations can not justify a military operation, but have only
raised the level of tension.
In
addition, it is now clear that the NATO allies are not united. And
that’s already European pragmatism. Europe is generally irritated
by the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran, and a military
conflict is an extremely unpopular option. But it is possible that
there will be new reasons in the near future, and Washington does not
like to stay halfway.
End of the translation
nguage: zxx }
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