Iranian drones against the USS Nimitz in the Persian Gulf

“Iranian drones against the USS Nimitz.” This sentence is the shortest way to describe the current situation in the Persian Gulf. BulgarianMilitary.com learned from the Iranian state news agency IRNA that Iran is launching large-scale air exercises with drones. Iran decided in response to the US decision to leave the USS Nimitz in the Persian Gulf region.

The exercises will start today, January 5, and will include all military units of the Iranian army – ground forces, air forces, and naval forces, the statement said. According to information from the Iranian Ministry of Defense, the exercise will be held in central Iran and will last for two days. According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, the practice will include hundreds of air operations with drones and a simulated attack on the US super aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.

We remind you that Iran is celebrating one year since the assassination of Iranian General Quds Qasem Soleimani, whose assassination was carried out with the United States’ assistance. In response to a possible threat from Iran, the Pentagon and the Trump administration in Washington have decided to leave the aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz, in the Persian Gulf region. Thus, tensions between the two countries remain strong and are unlikely to ease any time soon.

We remind you that the UN arms embargo on Iran was lifted at the end of last year, despite Washington’s discontent. In recent years, Iran has managed to revive its arms industry and develop and manufacture local weapons systems. All of them are intending as a possible response to a possible American attack. After the UN lifted the arms embargo, Iran expects to begin talks with Russia and China this year to purchase various weapons systems. One possibility is the purchase of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.

Yesterday, on January 4, Iranian Brigadier General Mohammad-Hossein Dadras stated to state media that the country had become a regional superpower in recent years. The general also refers to the fact that Iran is a leading manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles in the region.

“The army of the Islamic Republic of Iran always, following the threats of transregional states and enemies, takes initiatives to upgrade equipment and conduct military exercises,” he also stressed.

According to the general, the exercise will be a detailed battle with several possible scenarios and tactical instructions for monitoring, intelligence, and electronic warfare with the enemy. The Iranian units will perform the whole exercise between the two limits of the drones’ operational capabilities, i.e., long and short distances. After the training, according to the general, Iran will present all the drones produced so far.

At the same time, Washington stated the decision to keep its aircraft carrier in the area. According to Acting US Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, the “duty” aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf prevents possible Iranian provocations or hostilities. He also stressed that the ship’s positioning responds to Iranian threats against the US president and individual US institutions without detail in his statement.

Military analysts and sources from various government agencies say another reason for leaving the USS Nimitz is an upcoming military exercise between the United States and partners in the region. Such a possibility is genuine and should not be taken as a surprise. According to sources from the US Department of Defense, such an exercise is forthcoming and will be led by the 5th US Navy stationed in Bahrain. Such a practice aims to ensure proper coordination of joint actions and response to attacks by enemy forces.