The Islamic regime’s forces carried out a combined live and targeted exercise in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported.
The exercise, which focused on the regime’s naval forces, was reportedly carried out under the supervision of the IRGC’s Commander-in-Chief, Major General Mohammad Pakpour.
The Iranian report claimed that the activity was aimed at assessing the readiness of naval operations units and reviewing security plans and scenarios for “reciprocal” military action by the IRGC.
The IRGC-affiliated source claimed that the force was anticipated to offer a “decisive” response to any “anti-security plots in the maritime domain.”
The exercise was conducted amid Tehran’s anticipation of potential military action by the US. It has recently begun efforts to fortify its nuclear facilities, notably those which were damaged during the US strikes on Iran in June.
Tehran ‘playing poker’ as another confrontation with US seems more likely
Retired V.-Adm. Robert Harward, the former deputy commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), told The Jerusalem Post last week that Iran has been increasing its inflammatory rhetoric and Tehran was “playing poker” as another confrontation with the US seems more likely.
Intelligence expert Dr. Lynette Nusbacher told the Post that the latest exercise was likely just another signal to the US.
“This exercise is a signal to the US, and to commodities markets, that Iran is ready to close the Strait. It’s an attempt to push back at the US, which has a couple of destroyers keeping the Strait open. Why do they need to keep the Strait open? Why would the Iranians close the Strait of Hormuz?” She said.
“Because the US is using the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and soon the USS Gerald Ford Strike Group to put pressure on Iran.”
Nusbacher continued, “One of the most powerful weapons that Iran has is using fast attack boats and land-based missiles to close the Straits of Hormuz… In the past, just sneezing in the direction of Hormuz caused the spot price of oil to spike upwards.”
She concluded by stating the most prudent next US military operation would be to “send the IRGC navy to the bottom.”