Link to article: Fox News
Iran sent their warships close to U.S. maritime borders for the first time. An senior Iranian naval commander confirmed this, and added saying that this move has a message.
The Islamic Republic considers this move as a response to U.S. naval deployments near its own coastline, specifically in reference to the U.S. Navy's 5th fleet is stationed in Bahrain, located across the bordering waters of Iran.
Militaries do this all the time. They play chicken near the border but thats all it is. It has superficial implications, and it sometimes results in aggravating the other side. I don't believe Iran has any intentions of planning a naval strike on America. It is pretty routine for warships go out on leave around the world near other countries. After all, American warships approach many coastlines yet aren't there to plan an attack.
China plays the "chicken" game with neighboring countries all the time, especially with Japan. They do this purposely to cause altercations. I don't believe these are Iran's intentions at all. Iran does want to be noticed as a force to be known. This may have been what lead to Iran to match America's naval movements near their coast.
I agree with you, Nathan. Iran just wanted to let the USA know that they weren't afraid of us. They also probably just wanted to let us know that they were capable of doing what we did to them. This isn't going to develop into any kind of altercation.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty small ship. I think they are mostly just doing this to save face. They don't want to seem cowardly or weak, but, in all reality, who would win that war? Not that peashooter ship for sure. They might sink a buoy or a stray milk jug. (Don't worry -- I'm not a warmonger -- I just thing Iran's military bravado isn't super pragmatic and is a little ridiculous)
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