Iran Has Built a Model of an American Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier

The Islamic Republic has built a model of an American Nimitz-class aircraft carrier powered by nuclear fuel and intends to conduct a naval military exercise with it. Iran conducted a similar initiative five years ago as well.

According to Associated Press, satellite images have detected Iran’s model of an aircraft carrier in the waters of the Persian Gulf (Bandar Abbas), which is based on the American Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. The U.S. Navy continuously transits through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow passage is where a large portion of the world’s oil exports take place. This strategically important corridor has long been a scene of international crises and tensions.

According to the Associated Press report, Iran has not yet confirmed this news. However, it is believed that the country intends to conduct a naval military exercise with it to simulate a possible war scenario with America. This news agency referenced Iran’s naval exercise in 2015 as evidence for this speculation.

Five years ago, Iran also built an aircraft carrier with the main dimensions of the American aircraft carrier. In the exercise conducted with this dummy carrier, the IRGC speedboats were able to sink the vessel. This was, however, a claim made by Iranian sources, while American satellites showed the opposite.

The Islamic Republic’s naval exercise was concurrent with the 2015 nuclear negotiations in Vienna. However, the Islamic Republic’s message through its exercise at that time was that regardless of what the nuclear talks between Iran and the 5+1 would result in, this government would not “surrender” to America. Now nothing remains of that agreement, and tensions between the two countries, especially following the killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force in Iraq by America, have reached their peak.

Source: DW