Iran launches exercise in the Persian Gulf

Arutz Sheva ^ | 3/8/18 | Elad Benari

[Eleutheria5]

The timing of the exercise is unusual, as it appears to be similar in scale and nature to a drill that ordinarily happens later in the autumn. It comes just days before the U.S. reimposes sanctions on Tehran after its withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said several dozen boats were out training early Thursday morning.

The vessels are mostly small attack boats, and there have been no interactions with U.S. ships in the area, the official added, according to AFP.

In a statement, Captain Bill Urban, the military's Central Command spokesman, said the U.S. was "aware of an increase" in Iranian naval operations in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

"We are monitoring it closely, and will continue to work with our partners to ensure freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in international waterways," Urban said.

On Wednesday, American officials said the planned drill could be aimed at demonstrating the ability of the Revolutionary Guards to shut down the Strait of Hormuz.

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[xkaydet65]

I wonder if they remember Operation Preying Mantis?

[SunkenCiv]

A few drones from Sharper Image with a couple of alterations might be enough, for that matter.

[SunkenCiv]

I'd always suspected Iran was actually a Marxist state! /rimshot