07-25-2019, 09:01 PM
(07-25-2019, 08:50 PM)Dill Wrote: Speaking of "chains of consequences" following from Trump's choices, here is an astonishing development.
Looks like GB wants to form a coalition to protect shipping in the Gulf, but it will not be a part of the coalition the US is seeking to build.
I.e., our strongest and most important ally on the world stage looks to be going it alone, AND trying to salvage the Iran deal.
Britain’s Power Play in the Persian Gulf:
The United Kingdom hopes to get European countries to join it in a maritime coalition to protect vulnerable tankers near Iran.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/07/24/britains-power-play-in-the-persian-gulf/
In calling this week for a European naval coalition to provide security for commercial ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom is seeking to both uphold the nearly moribund nuclear deal with Iran and still push back against Tehran’s seizure last week of a British-flagged tanker.
The British proposal is seen as a partial rebuke of the Trump administration, as outgoing Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt stressed that the European naval coalition would not form part of the U.S. campaign of imposing maximum pressure on Iran, which includes the deployment of naval vessels, troops, and aircraft to the region.
File this under "duh". The UK is still an active signatory to the Iran deal and hopes to salvage it. Directly participating with the US in the maritime protection of shipping undermines their ability to do this. Hence this decision should surprise no one. Regardless, if you think they won't coordinate their efforts with the US Navy you are naïve. As one of the Johnson delegation was overheard to say recently, "They (the US) are the only ones with the assests anyways".
