IRGC Denies 'Test Missile Launch' in Persian Gulf: 'Psychological Operation'

After two days, the public relations officer of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dismissed reports of a 'test missile launch' by the organization near an American aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf as 'false' and a 'psychological operation,' stating that the IRGC had conducted no exercises in the area 'at the time claimed by the Americans.' According to the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), Ramadan Sharif, the head of the IRGC's public relations, denied the published reports on Thursday, January 10, adding, 'The dissemination of such false news in the current situation is more of a psychological operation and is worth considering.' He further stated that the IRGC Navy had not conducted any exercises in the Strait of Hormuz during the week in question that involved launching missiles or rockets. An NBC News report cited an unnamed U.S. military official claiming that the IRGC Navy had conducted a 'test missile launch' about 1,500 yards (approximately 1,400 meters) from the USS Truman aircraft carrier the previous week. Meanwhile, Reuters reported on January 8, citing Kyle Raines, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, that 'several IRGC vessels' had conducted a test launch of their missiles 'in proximity' to the U.S. warship. Reports indicated that this incident occurred on December 26 and that the IRGC forces had launched the missiles after a 23-minute initial warning. The USS Truman, along with two other warships from the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State, was passing through the Strait of Hormuz to the Persian Gulf when the incident occurred. The U.S. has stated that despite the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, it continues its efforts to establish a missile defense shield in the region surrounding the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, following the Vienna nuclear agreement, threatening statements from IRGC officials regarding the presence of U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf have persisted. For instance, Ali Fadavi, the commander of the IRGC Navy, stated on Monday, January 7, that 'the U.S. has entered the Persian Gulf with all its military might, but it is the Iranian speedboats that dominate them.' IRGC officials have previously announced several times that the expulsion of American forces from the Persian Gulf is part of their plans.