US ship fires on boat off Dubai, 1 dead

An American vessel fired on a boat off the coast of the United Arab Emirates today, killing one person and injuring three, according to a U.S. consular official in Dubai.

The official gave no other details, but it appeared the boat could have been mistaken as a threat in Gulf waters not far from Iran’s maritime boundaries.

Dozens of police and other Emirati officials crowded around the white-hulled boat, which sat docked after the incident in a small Dubai port used by fishermen and sailors.

The boat appeared to be a civilian vessel about 30 feet (9 meters) long and powered by three outboard motors. Similar boats are used for fishing in the region, though Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also employs relatively small, fast-moving craft in the Gulf.

Rescue workers were seen carrying one person in a body bag off the boat and placing it in an ambulance as fishermen looked on. Officials moved the boat from the harbor shortly afterward.

An Emirati rescue official at the scene confirmed the casualty toll. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the incident between the two allies.

U.S. military vessels routinely cross paths with Iranian ships in international waters in the Gulf without incident, but speed boats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard have passed close to U.S. ships in incidents that have raised alarm in Washington.

In early 2008, then President Bush accused Iran of a "provocative act" after five small Iranian craft buzzed around the destroyer USS Hopper.

Tensions are elevated in the Gulf after Iran last week renewed threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz - the route for one-fifth of the world’s oil - in retaliation for tighter sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program. The U.S. recently boosted its naval presence in the Gulf with additional minesweepers and other warships.

The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, said it was investigating the Monday shooting. The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi had no immediate comment, referring all questions to the Navy.

Emirati officials could not be reached for comment.

Peres in meeting with Panetta: Iran must not be allowed to fulfill imperialistic ambitions

President hails U.S. military 'whose mission is not to conquer and occupy'; U.S. Defense Secretary reiterates U.S. 'rock solid' support of Israel.

General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Peres' military aide Hasson Hasson and Israeli military attache to the United States, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni on June 11, 2012. Photo by Natasha Mozgovaya

President Shimon Peres denounced Iran in a meeting with U.S. military officials on Monday, warning against its "imperialistic ambitions based on religion."

"No responsible country in the world can accept the situation in which the Middle East falls victim to Iranian hegemony," Peres said, which he described as "the Ayatollah's wish". While stressing that he respects the diplomatic process, Peres added that "time is running out, as Iran continues its accelerated race toward a nuclear bomb, continuing to lie and deceive."

Peres expressed his gratitude to the United States for its ongoing support of Israel's efforts to seek peace, and hailed the American military, "whose mission is not to conquer and occupy, who has a mission of values, not an appetite for power."

In an apparent referral to the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Peres said, "Your men and women lost their lives for the highest and most noble values; you didn't keep anything for yourself."

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta congratulated Peres on the Medal of Freedom he was awarded by U.S. President Barack Obama. "It's a fitting recognition of your life's work. Your life's work has been to advance peace, human dignity and freedom. These basic values are at the core of the U.S.-Israel relationship. We greatly admire your commitment to these values and we greatly admire your commitment to our relationship. I am pleased to note that the cooperation between the two militaries is stronger than ever."

"The United States' commitment to Israel's security is rock-solid and enduring. As always, we look forward to hearing your views on the many challenges we are facing together. Our goal remains the same - for both of our nations - peace, prosperity, and a dream of leaving our children a better world."

Upon arrival at the Pentagon, Peres had been greeted by Panetta, and the two proceeded to the secretary's dining room, where several top military officials chatted with their Israeli counterparts. In the room was General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was talking to the Israeli military attache to the United States, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni and Peres' military aide Hasson Hasson.

Also in attendance were Dr. James Miller, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Derek Chollet, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; Jeremy Bash, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Dr. Matthew Spence, deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Eric Lynn, special advisor for the Middle East, and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren.

We're Now Selling The Most Advanced Missile System To This Islamic State

The U.S. is selling one of the most advanced missile systems on the planet to a country with an abysmal human rights records.

Lockheed Martin's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is the most effective weapon when it comes to shooting incoming missiles right out of the sky.

As of yesterday, a total of 138 of these launchers are headed to the United Arab Emirates.

Lockheed Martin will be getting $2 Billion for the contract.

The UAE is a federation of absolute monarchies. It's comprised of seven principalities, each with its own absolute monarch. It's got the sixth largest oil reserves in the world.

The original sale was announced late last year, and it looks like the UAE wanted to add on to the order.

While $2 billion may sound like a lot, the UAE has been known for extravagant expenditures. It's notorious because of the explosive expansion of its largest city, Dubai, and the international human rights issues that came with that construction.

The GDP of that city alone was $82 billion in 2008.

Dubai is also home to the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building — and also its tallest man made structure.

Those achievements are likely what the UAE is trying to defend with THAAD.

The THAAD system is designed to intercept medium to intermediate sized missiles, and even has some capability against Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).

Using advanced radar, the THAAD system launches a missile that intercepts the incoming threat. The THAAD missile has no warhead, and is only designed to strike and detonate the incoming missile's warhead while it remains at a safe distance.

The U.S. sells all kinds of tech to all kinds of countries.

But this is first country other than Israel to get THAAD.

Lockheed is forbidden from selling tech to certain nations, and the Department of Defense (DoD) serves as a middleman in the transaction. A buyer approaches the DoD, the Department approves the buyer, the DoD buys the tech using its budget, then sells the tech to the bidding nation.