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Utopia Talk / Politics / Russia Preempting UK Piracy
Forwyn
Member
Thu Oct 22 14:45:02
Last week, the Iranian-flagged oil tanker Samah entered the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. After a few miles, the 900-foot-long ship stopped reporting its position and destination. Evidence suggests the ship sailed to Syria, escorted by two Russian Navy ships, including a destroyer.

Russia’s role in protecting the shipment may change the dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the past, Iranian tankers sailing to Syria have been intercepted by the U.K. Royal Navy. The Russian Navy escort could be viewed as a precautionary step, raising the political and military risks of any intervention by the Royal Navy or others.

Last July, an Iranian tanker destined for Syria, Adrian Darya-1, was seized by U.K. Royal Marines off Gibraltar. The British accused Iran of supplying Syria with oil in contravention of European Union sanctions. Iran quickly seized a British-flagged tanker in a likely retaliatory move. Eventually, in September, Adrian Darya-1 was released by a local court with the assurance that it would not deliver its oil to Syria – but days later, it transshipped its oil in Syrian waters.

Last week, the Iranian-flagged oil tanker Samah entered the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. After a few miles, the 900-foot-long ship stopped reporting its position and destination. Evidence suggests the ship sailed to Syria, escorted by two Russian Navy ships, including a destroyer.

Russia’s role in protecting the shipment may change the dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the past, Iranian tankers sailing to Syria have been intercepted by the U.K. Royal Navy. The Russian Navy escort could be viewed as a precautionary step, raising the political and military risks of any intervention by the Royal Navy or others.

Last July, an Iranian tanker destined for Syria, Adrian Darya-1, was seized by U.K. Royal Marines off Gibraltar. The British accused Iran of supplying Syria with oil in contravention of European Union sanctions. Iran quickly seized a British-flagged tanker in a likely retaliatory move. Eventually, in September, Adrian Darya-1 was released by a local court with the assurance that it would not deliver its oil to Syria – but days later, it transshipped its oil in Syrian waters.

By the morning of Oct. 17, a tanker resembling Samah was anchored off the Baniyas oil terminal in Syria. Meanwhile, Akademik Pashin was sailing west toward Greece.

The Russian Navy has hinted it would be more active in escorting merchant ships in the region. After the Iranian delivery, the Russian Navy has publicized an exercise off Syria, meant to protect “smooth passage of civilian ships.” A simulated attack by a submarine was dealt with by Vice Admiral Kulakov, which may be intended to send a message to allies and potential adversaries alike that Russia will actively prevent any interference with the Iranian shipments.

Russia now maintains a permanent squadron in the Mediterranean, based in Tartus, Syria. This includes submarines and large warships. If Moscow decides the Iran-Syria oil run is now a regular mission for the Russian Navy, it’s set to complicate enforcement of international sanctions which could otherwise shut down one of the Syrian regime’s vital lifelines.

http://new...ranian-tankers-bound-for-syria
Paramount
Member
Thu Oct 22 14:48:34
Thumbs up to Russia.
Habebe
Member
Thu Oct 22 14:59:45
If Iran is breaking European sanctions then Europe should react accordingly.
Paramount
Member
Thu Oct 22 15:05:14
I’m not sure, but I don’t think Iran is obliged to adhere to EU sanctions of Syria. Iran is not a member of the EU after all.
Habebe
Member
Thu Oct 22 15:18:08
Are there no Reprecussions the EU imposes for acting against their sanctions? Even to non members.
Rugian
Member
Thu Oct 22 16:06:54
This is theater. The previous tanker was seized because it touched a British port on its way to Syria. This tanker has not done that.
Rugian
Member
Thu Oct 22 16:08:55
Even so, I look forward to the videos of shirtless Putin commanding the destroyer as he protects the helpless tanker from Mother Russia's eternal enemies.
Seb
Member
Sat Oct 24 04:56:14
This is a bit pathetic isn't it?
jergul
large member
Sat Oct 24 05:19:14
Ruggy
The Russian term is actually fatherland (ochestvo), alternatively birthland (rodina).
jergul
large member
Sat Oct 24 05:23:40
You could go with birthland's mother (rodina - mat)I suppose if you wanted to go full core stalinist propaganda, but its just not something people say outside of that context.
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