U.S. Aircraft Carrier Enters Persian Gulf Amid IRGC Exercises

As the "Prophet Muhammad 12" exercise is underway in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis entered the Persian Gulf region on Friday, December 30. Meanwhile, according to reports from some media, IRGC forces have "launched a drone" and fired several rockets in the area. According to the Associated Press, this is the first U.S. aircraft carrier to enter the Persian Gulf since the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA. The Wall Street Journal reported on December 3, citing U.S. Department of Defense officials, that a group of U.S. military vessels, including the USS John C. Stennis, were returning to the Middle East after a long absence. This report indicates that this is the first military presence of the U.S. fleet in the Persian Gulf after eight months of absence and is intended to demonstrate U.S. power against Iran. The IRGC's exercise in the Persian Gulf, named "Prophet Muhammad 12," began on December 24, with forces from Tehran, Fars, and Kerman provinces deployed to the region. Meanwhile, the commander of the IRGC Ground Forces mentioned on Friday, December 30, that the main feature of this exercise is "amphibious operations" and added that the participating forces practiced "defending the shore and attacking the shore." According to the news agency Mizan, he also stated that "our defense is a combination of offense and defense, with the offensive aspect being more prominent than the defensive." The commander of the IRGC Ground Forces also announced that on Saturday, "for the first time, we will unveil offensive operations in the Islamic Republic's defensive doctrine." He stated: "The experiences of the IRGC Ground Forces in the fight against terrorism, border security, and experiences from recent wars have led to the formation of new tactical doctrines, a glimpse of which we will present for judgment and evaluation in the Prophet Muhammad 12 exercise, and if necessary, we will also develop these doctrines." Mr. Pakpour did not provide further details about what he called the "defensive doctrine of offensive operations." After the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, the IRGC has conducted exercises, particularly in the Persian Gulf. For instance, on November 5, coinciding with the start of U.S. sanctions, the IRGC and the army held a "joint air defense exercise" in northern, central, and western Iran, with air defense systems from both entities conducting operations. Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened that if Iran cannot export its oil, other countries will also be unable to export their oil. This threat has been interpreted as a potential intention by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil passageways. Following these threats, Admiral John Richardson, the operational commander of the U.S. Navy, warned Iran that the United States would maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by any means necessary. Despite escalating verbal warfare between Iranian and U.S. officials, several Iranian officials have rejected the possibility of military conflict.