Global tensions – 13 April, 2021
This is one of the few items in the US even reporting on tensions in the South China Sea(Popular Mechanics!) and they can’t understand why it is happening!!
For what may well be the very first time, the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China are both operating aircraft carriers in the South China Sea.
On April 4, the U.S. Navy’s USS Theodore Roosevelt and the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Liaoning were both sailing in the sea accompanied by escort ships. At the same time, the U.S. Navy uploaded a photo of the destroyer USS Mustin sailing near the Chinese carrier, with the ship’s commanders looking on.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group was active in the southern half of the South China Sea, exercising with the Royal Malaysian Air Force. This U.S. Navy video shows F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters flying alongside RMAF Russian-made Su-30 fighters, and a single RMAF F/A-18D two-seat Hornet fighter. The mixed formation of jets overflies the guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and the carrier USS Roosevelt.
From the Japanese press
Last month, a Chinese Type 55 destroyer entered the Tsushima Strait for the first time and sailed off the east coast of Japan towards the Sea of Japan. The Renhai-class (also known as Type 55) destroyer Nanchang sailed through the Tsushima Strait, accompanied by the Type 052D class guided-missile destroyer Chengdu, and a Type 054A guided-missile frigate Daqing.
This marks a new phase in China’s psychological warfare against Japan and for Tokyo, this represents a new worry.
What is a Chinese Destroyer Doing Off Japan’s Coast in the Tsushima Strait?
Meanwhile, in North Korea
Commercial satellite imagery of the Sinpho South Shipyard from April 10 reveals that the missile canister for the submersible missile test barge has likely been removed, possibly for maintenance or for replacement with a new canister or launch frame to accommodate larger submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
And in the Middle East
The vessel is associated with the Israeli Ray Shipping company, the same company that owns a vessel hit by an alleged Iranian attack in February.
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/israeli-ship-attacked-near-uae-report-665030
From Hal Turner
An Iranian strike upon an Israeli Mossad base inside neighboring Iraq, has killed or wounded numerous Israeli Mossad.
The Iranians struck in retaliation for the sabotage at their Natanz nuclear facility which destroyed numerous centrifuges, and for the missile strike by Israel against an Iran spy ship in the Red Sea.
This is a fast-developing story – check back for updates.
UPDATE 4:09 PM EDT —
Now receiving reports that Iran also attacked an Israeli-owned ship in the Persian Gulf near the United Arab Emirates.
An Israeli ship called the Hyperion and owned by an Israeli company, was attacked near the shores of the Fujairah emirate in the United Arab Emirates.
Data available on MarineTraffic.com showed that the Hyperion, a vehicle carrier sailing under the flag of the Bahamas, was stopped off the coast of Fujairah. Arab media reports said that the ship was hit by an Iranian missile.
A representative of the owners of the ship released a statement saying, “Hyperion Ray incurred no damages and is continuing at full speed on its original voyage.”
The Israeli press ADMITS who was behind the attack on the Iranian nuclear facility
The Mossad was reportedly behind the attack at Natanz on Sunday that caused extensive damage to Iran’s main uranium enrichment facility.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the security cabinet’s first meeting in two months to discuss Iran next Sunday amid increased tensions with Tehran.
Western sources quoted in Israeli media said the attack, which was initially referred to as an “accident” by Iran, was carried out by the Mossad.
Iran admitted on Sunday evening that the so-called “accident” was the result of a “terrorist” act.
The country’s nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency needed to deal with what he called nuclear terrorism. Iran reserves the right to take action against the perpetrators, he was quoted as saying.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/incident-reported-in-iranian-natanz-nuclear-facility-664792
Guess where they will be headed.
