In the midst of escalating tensions with the United States over shipping traffic in the world oil market's crucial bottleneck, Iran has taken a significant step to enhance its naval forces. The Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has officially received additional drones and precision missiles, with impressive ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). The move is said to be a response to reports of US military officials contemplating the deployment of armed troops on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, following recent Iranian seizures of commercial vessels.
The IRGC Navy showcased its newly acquired equipment during a ceremony that included reconnaissance and combat drones, cutting-edge electronic warfare gear, truck-mounted missile launchers, and a plethora of cruise and ballistic missiles. This bolstering of naval capabilities comes as no surprise, considering the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. This vital waterway handles approximately 20% of the world's oil supplies and a third of all seaborne crude shipments, making it an area of critical interest.
Brigadier General Abolfazi Shekarchi, a spokesman for the Iranian military, expressed skepticism over the US proposal to deploy armed troops on commercial vessels in the region. He questioned the necessity of such involvement by the United States in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Indian Ocean.
The newly acquired drones and precision missiles significantly enhance the IRGC Navy's capabilities, providing improved accuracy and extended range capabilities. With the ability to attack multiple targets simultaneously, Iran says it is projecting its readiness to safeguard its territorial waters and counter any perceived threats to its interests.
US-Iran tensions have been consistently high since the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The Biden administration's efforts to revive the agreement have thus far proven unsuccessful, contributing to the ongoing friction between the two nations.