Pentagon: Iranian naval activities in southern waters have increased
A spokesman for the US military's Middle East headquarters says Iranian naval activity in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman has "increased." Several US administration officials have also said the Revolutionary Guard is expected to conduct a drill in the region soon.
On August 1, CNN reported that Iranian military forces were preparing to conduct a "major exercise" in the Persian Gulf. An hour later, Reuters published a similar report.
Despite mentioning these reports, Iranian state media has not yet published any reports on the reaction or statements of Islamic Republic officials on this matter.
Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for US Central Command, the headquarters overseeing operations in West Asia and North Africa, said: "We are aware of increased Iranian naval military activity in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman."
"We are closely monitoring these activities and continue to work with our allies to ensure freedom of navigation and commercial traffic in international waters," Captain Orban added.
A spokesman for the US Middle East Command did not provide further details.
Reuters news agency, citing several US government officials, said Iran is likely to hold a military exercise within the next 48 hours. The officials said the Revolutionary Guard Corps has prepared more than 100 vessels for the exercise and that hundreds of ground troops may also participate.
According to US officials, the possible conduct of this exercise during this period appears to be aimed at sending a message to Washington; since the US government withdrew from the JCPOA, it has increased its political and diplomatic efforts to increase pressure on Tehran.
Reuters, citing US officials, says that US President Donald Trump's policies have put significant pressure on Iran's economy, although US intelligence agencies believe that these pressures will ultimately lead to increased dissatisfaction with the US and the strengthening of extremists in the Islamic Republic.
On the other hand, a number of Trump administration officials say that there is no distinction in the Iranian government between those described as “moderates” and hardliners. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently said during a speech to a group of Iranian-Americans in California that “the nuclear deal did not moderate them; it turned them into wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
The publication of reports about the possibility of conducting exercises in southern waters coincides with a new round of protests and demonstrations in various cities in Iran, following the collapse of the rial's value, the economic situation, inflation, and the daily increase in the price of currency and coins.
Source: Radio Farda
