NATO, which proclaims non-involvement in the Syrian conflict, and Russia, which vows to block foreign military action against the Assad regime, are both moving large naval forces into the eastern Mediterranean opposite Syrian shores.
A flotilla of at least 11 Russian warships has been detached from Caspian Sea, Black Sea and North Sea fleet bases and is on its way to the Syrian coast for a maneuver; NATO has consigned its rapid response Maritime Group 2 to the same stretch of sea – where also five Israeli warships are deployed. The Western alliance has also increased surveillance flights over the Mediterranean from the Geilenkirchen air base in Germany.
This rush of military movements is explained officially by the big air-and-sea exercise launched by Syria Sunday, July 8, to simulate outside aggression. It follows Iran’s practice of continuous military drills for repelling mock Western or Israel attacks.
The exercise began with a barrage of dozens of surface-to-sea missiles simulating naval and shore defense against approaching enemy craft and landing forces.
At about the same time, Iran embarked on a big air-cum-missile defense exercise in the south to fight off potential aggression from the direction of the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden, where US air force units are clustered.
debkafile’s military sources report that this is the first simultaneous, coordinated Syrian-Iranian military maneuver for drilling action against an advancing enemy. It is synchronized from a joint headquarters established for the purpose in Damascus.
While these coordinated maneuvers are being presented as designed to fend off foreign intervention in the Syrian conflict, our sources report that they are in fact preparing for a potential US attack on Iran’s nuclear program, which is now expected in Gulf and European military quarters to take place in October, three months hence.
High-ranking Saudi princes associated with their national military and intelligence agencies frankly confided to Arab and Western officials on recent visits to Riyadh that the US and, possibly Israel too, are on the verge of war on Iran. “It is already decided,” they say. The only question still open is the date, which could be before or after the US presidential election on November 6.
In line with this prediction, France is reported in Paris to be massing a large naval force in the United Arab Emirates. The French nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle-R91 is expected to dock soon at the French naval base in Port Zayid on Abu Dhabi’s northeastern coast opposite the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The French are also boosting their air units at Al Dhafra Air Base, stationing them alongside a large American air force presence.
WarSclerotic 
July 11, 2012 at 1:06 PM
According to debka, world war 3 should have started seven years ago.
July 11, 2012 at 1:14 PM
According To The Word Of G-d, It will soon take place. Mark E. Owen
July 11, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Well, when Bush made his muscle flexing in the gulf, everybody around started getting in line, because Bush was credible even when attacking Iran was never decided.
Now, with this White House administration, nobody takes seriously all this posturing.
July 11, 2012 at 3:51 PM
I, like many other good people, was wrong a couple of times, trying to predict what and when Israel will do in Iran. Today, to tell the truth, i don’t think Israel even consider to initiate, by itself, any grand action in Iran. But i can say this, with a little chance to be wrong – at least , this time : when so many guns are concentrated in a relatively not too big area, strange things may start to happen you know, like in ones of Clint Eastwood movies, ” The Good,the Bad and the Ugly ” when everybody started to shot at everybody .
That might happen.
July 11, 2012 at 11:29 PM
Wars… and rumors of wars. This has been building for a long, long time! If you imagine alll the players and all of their assets placed on a map… there is nothing “good” about it… just bad and ugly!! Like Clint Eastwood said… “Are you going to pull those pistols? or are you going to stand there and whistle Dixie?” Time for whistling may be over…
July 11, 2012 at 5:09 PM
It’s looks as if this is it folks. The proverbial sh*t is fixing to hit the fan and it’s going to be a rough ride since Russia is moving more naval assets into the area.
July 11, 2012 at 7:18 PM
I won’t believe it till I see it.
July 11, 2012 at 9:55 PM
Russia’s naval assets are useless and outdated not to be underestimated,putin is delusional and is about to find himself and his navy humiliated
July 11, 2012 at 11:38 PM
There are many other assets of concern besides the “useless Russian Navy”. Don’t forget that during the last “war” the INS Hanit was wacked by a Chinese made anti-ship missile and the Merkava tanks that were shredded by Russian Kornet missiles. Many upgrades have been made since then… on both sides.
July 12, 2012 at 4:22 AM
you guys must be on glue to think that the Russian Navy isn’t capable of destroying most of the Earth & just because it’s surface fleet isn’t what the US has or is presently, doesn’t mean they couldn’t inflict terrible costs on any nation’s naval assets. WAKE UP….maybe outdated but still a scary navy to be contended with. How many of you “ARM-CHAIR” Commando’s have ever been in the Armed Forces of your respected countries or is it just your thing to assume you know what reality truly is at this moment in time????
July 12, 2012 at 4:23 AM
Good point JJ, I guess it’s come down to a war of the upgrades. With all the engagements in recent years, U.S. assets are field tested as we speak. With this come more effective upgrades to the U.S. arsenal.
July 12, 2012 at 5:07 AM
I want to apologize to J.W. & ANY veterans of ANY nation if my comments have offended you. Those who’ve known war, know that it’s the last, & worst possible outcome compared to coexistence & peace….not what these “ARM-CHAIR” QB’s or Quarter-Back’s (as we call them in Canada & USA) want you to believe. I’ve read countless remarks/comments from people around the world, from various websites comment section’s, to JW’s Blog, other blogs too & I’m shocked at the naivety of the respondent’s supposed “INSIGHT” of the issue at hand & their comments regarding these various issues. Grow-up, Stop believing the HYPE, make up your own minds & definitions of what REALITY/TRUTH actually is through various mediums & REALIZE that WAR should be the LAST OPTION on ANYONE’S MIND regardless of their nationality or religion, UNLESS GOD FORBID, IT HAS TO BE THE LAST OPTION/MEASURE, when protecting their loved one’s & fellow citizens alike.