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Iran, US Lean Into Gunboat Diplomacy 02/19 06:07
Iran and the United States leaned into gunboat diplomacy Thursday as nuclear
talks between the nations hung in the balance, with Tehran holding drills with
Russia and the Americans bringing another aircraft carrier closer to the
Mideast.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Iran and the United States leaned into
gunboat diplomacy Thursday as nuclear talks between the nations hung in the
balance, with Tehran holding drills with Russia and the Americans bringing
another aircraft carrier closer to the Mideast.
The Iranian drill and the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier
near the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea underscore the tensions between the
nations. Iran earlier this week also launched a drill that involved live-fire
in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow opening of the Persian Gulf through which a
fifth of the world's traded oil passes.
The movements of additional American warships and airplanes don't guarantee
a U.S. strike on Iran -- but it does give President Donald Trump the ability to
carry out one should he choose to do so. He's so far held off on striking Iran
after setting red lines over the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran
holding mass executions, while reengaging Tehran in nuclear talks earlier
disrupted by the Iran-Israel war in June.
"Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United
States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to
eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime," Trump
wrote on his Truth Social website, seeking to pressure the United Kingdom over
its plans to settle the future of the Chagos Islands with Mauritius.
Meanwhile, Iran struggles with unrest at home following its crackdown on
protests, with mourners now holding ceremonies honoring their dead 40 days
after their killing by security forces. Some of the gatherings have included
anti-government cries, despite threats from authorities.
Iran holds drill with Russia
The drill Thursday saw Iranian forces and Russian sailors conduct operations
in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency
reported. The drill will be aimed at "upgrading operational coordination as
well as exchange of military experiences," IRNA added.
China had joined the "Security Belt" drill in previous years, but there was
no acknowledgment it participated in this round. In recent days, a vessel that
appeared to be a Steregushchiy-class Russian corvette had been seen at a
military port in the Iranian city of Bandar Abbas.
Iran also issued a rocket-fire warning to pilots in the region, suggesting
they planned to launch anti-ship missiles in the exercise.
Meanwhile, tracking data showed the Ford off the coast of Morocco in the
Atlantic Ocean midday Wednesday, meaning the carrier could transit through
Gibraltar and potentially station in the eastern Mediterranean with its
supporting guided-missile destroyers.
Having the carrier there could allow American forces to have extra aircraft
and anti-missile power to potentially protect Israel and Jordan should a
conflict break out with Iran. The U.S. similarly placed warships there during
the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip to protect against Iranian fire.
Anti-government chants made at mourning ceremonies
Mourning ceremonies for those killed by security forces in the protests last
month also have increased. Iranians traditionally mark the death of a loved one
40 days after the loss. Both witnesses and social media videos showed memorials
taking place at Tehran's massive Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. Some memorials
included people chanting against Iran's theocracy while singing nationalistic
songs.
The demonstrations began Dec. 28 at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar,
initially over the collapse of Iran's currency, the rial, then spread across
the country. Tensions exploded on Jan. 8, with demonstrations called for by
Iran's exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi.
Iran's government has offered only one death toll for the violence, with
3,117 people killed. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which
has been accurate in previous rounds of unrest in Iran, puts the death toll at
over 7,000 killed, with many more feared dead.
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