Gauhar Zahid Malik
Last week when an Iranian anti-submarine helicopter detected a US nuclear-submarine in the Gulf waters and “close to its shores,” the two countries immediately went into direct communications to avoid a confrontation.
According to reports US nuclear submarine was spotted making close contact with an Iranian military chopper when an Iranian pilot identified itself in the Persian Gulf region. Iranian officials later claimed that US submarine had to leave the area following hot talks.
In an exclusive video released on social media, the US nuclear submarine can be seen making close contact with the Iranian anti-submarine SH-3D chopper. The incident took place on January 14, 2021 in the Persian Gulf. Neither Iran, nor US officials made any comment on the incident.
Following the most serious incident, Iranian Armed Forces launched their largest drone exercise near the Strait of Hormuz, in a display of their ability to swam targets at a high speed in the Persian Gulf region.
Meanwhile, PPA news agency, quoting reports, said that at least two missiles fired by the Iranian Armed Forces fell within 100 miles of a US warship in the northern region of the Indian Ocean on January 16. The US officials were quoted as saying at least one of the missiles landed 20 miles from the commercial vessel but did not spell out details.On January 16, 2021, Iran’s Fars news agency reported that the Iranian Navy destroyed hypothetical enemy warships at a distance of 1,800 kilometers with ballistic missiles in the final stage of Payambar-e-Azam 15 (Great Prophet 15) wargames. Western media claimed that the range of missiles was more than 1000km.
The missile firing took place in the presence of Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, IRGC Commander Maj-Gen Hossein Salami.
