https://arab.news/2x67c
- Iranian forces tested a variety of strategies and weaponry, including long-range missiles, on the mock aircraft carrier
- The exercise further fuels tension between Iran and the United States
TEHRAN: Iran鈥檚 Revolutionary Guards blasted a mock-up of a US aircraft carrier with missiles on Tuesday during military exercises in sensitive Gulf waters, state television reported.
The exercises were held near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for a fifth of global oil output.
The US Navy condemned the 鈥渋rresponsible and reckless behavior by Iran,鈥� calling it an attempt 鈥渢o intimidate and coerce.鈥�
Footage of the war games broadcast on state television showed the Guards鈥� air and naval forces readying for an attack off the country鈥檚 southwestern coast.
Speedboats skimmed across the water in formation before ground forces fired cannons and a missile was launched from a helicopter.
The mock-up of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier came into view with rows of dummy fighter jets on either side of its landing strip.
The television then cut to rockets being fired out to sea from the backs of trucks, before showing damage to the hull of the mock-up aircraft carrier.
Another missile fired from a helicopter left a trail of smoke before appearing to smash into the side of the fake warship.
Armed forces were then seen rappelling onto the deck of the vessel, before around a dozen speedboats circled around it.
鈥淲hat was shown today in these exercises, at the level of aerospace and naval forces, was all offensive,鈥� Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami told state television.
New long-range missiles were fired during the exercises, a spokesman said.
The US Navy 5th Fleet, which is based in the Gulf state of Bahrain, criticized Iran鈥檚 use of the fake aircraft carrier which first appeared Monday in satellite images.
鈥淲e are aware of the Iranian exercise involving attacking a mock-up of a vessel similar to a motionless aircraft carrier,鈥� its spokeswoman Commander Rebecca Rebarich said in a statement emailed to AFP in Dubai on Tuesday.
鈥淭he US Navy conducts defensive exercises with our partners promoting maritime security in support of freedom of navigation; whereas, Iran conducts offensive exercises, attempting to intimidate and coerce.
鈥淲hile we are always watchful of this type of irresponsible and reckless behavior by Iran in the vicinity of busy international waterways, this exercise has not disrupted coalition operations in the area nor had any impacts to the free flow of commerce in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.鈥�
She had earlier stressed to AFP that 鈥渨e remain confident in our naval forces鈥� ability to defend themselves against any maritime threat.
鈥淲e do not seek conflict but remain ready to defend US forces and interests from maritime threats in the region.鈥�
The war games come only days after Tehran accused US fighter jets of harassing an Iranian commercial airliner in the skies over Syria.
At least four passengers on board the Mahan Air plane were injured in Thursday鈥檚 incident, after the pilot took emergency action to avoid the warplanes, Iranian authorities said.
Tensions have escalated between Tehran and Washington since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the landmark Iran nuclear deal in 2018.
The US and Iran have come to the brink of direct confrontation twice since June 2019, when the Guards shot down a US drone in the Gulf.
Their animosity deepened after Iran鈥檚 most prominent general, Qasem Soleimani, was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport in January.
One of the most recent confrontations was in mid-April, when the United States accused the Guards of using speedboats to harass its warships in the Gulf.