WANA (Jan 27) – Some unofficial news sources claim that last night the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) adopted an offensive formation and demonstrated its operational readiness against the U.S. naval task force “Abraham Lincoln,” placing its coastal ballistic missiles in a launch-ready state.

 

This claim comes as, according to the latest reports, the American aircraft carrier has entered the Middle East region and security tensions in the Persian Gulf are on the rise.

 

Recent U.S. movements follow weeks of internal unrest in Iran and the escalation of verbal positions by Washington officials against Tehran—unrest which Iranian officials say turned violent due to exploitation by infiltrating elements and terrorist groups.

 

In this context, Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs has announced that during recent terrorist attacks and armed clashes, 2,427 Iranian citizens, including security forces and civilians, have lost their lives.

 

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had claimed that in the event of the “violent killing of protesters,” the United States was prepared to take action to “rescue” them—remarks that were met with an official response from Iranian authorities.

 

Simultaneously with these developments, Tehran has sent clear symbolic and field-based messages. The unveiling of a large mural in Enghelab Square bearing the English phrase “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind” has been interpreted as a direct warning to the United States and a sign of Iran’s readiness to respond to any military action.

A missile is launched during an annual drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, in this picture obtained on December 31, 2022. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

On the military level, analysts believe that the United States possesses extensive strategic assets in the Persian Gulf and surrounding countries, including the Al Udeid Air Base and the Sheikh Isa refuelling base, both of which are within range of Iran’s ballistic missiles.

 

In this regard, U.S. aircraft carriers—despite their symbolic role in projecting Washington’s naval power—could become one of the country’s vulnerable points against Iran’s missile capabilities.

 

In recent years, the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, focusing on the doctrine of asymmetric warfare, has developed a range of capabilities in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. These capabilities include ballistic and coastal missiles, fast attack and remotely guided vessels (USVs), reconnaissance and combat drones, and patrol craft, which could pose serious challenges to any hostile naval force.

 

In the drone domain, the release of images showing surveillance of the aircraft carrier “Eisenhower” by a “Mohajer-6” drone in April of this year was an indication of Iran’s intelligence dominance over U.S. fleet movements in the region.

 

With a range exceeding 2,000 kilometres, the ability to carry about 200 kilograms of munitions, and the capability to deploy “Qaem” and “Sadid” air-to-surface bombs, this drone is considered one of Iran’s key tools in naval warfare.

 

Overall, these developments indicate that alongside political and symbolic messages, Tehran is emphasising the display of its operational readiness and deterrent capability against any confrontational scenario in the Persian Gulf.

Members of the Iranian Army take part in an annual drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, in this picture obtained on December 30, 2022. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)