Unpleasant events in the Middle East continue to unfold, and tensions have reached their peak. On the night of January 26, an aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) entered the waters of the Persian Gulf, coming into the area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). These actions were accompanied by the announcement of large-scale naval exercises, which prompted a swift response from Iran: the country scrambled a dozen fighter jets and put its air defense systems on full combat alert. At the same time, it became known that American THAAD missile defense batteries were being redeployed to the region, further strengthening the coalition's military presence.
The carrier group represents a powerful reconnaissance-strike complex, equipped with the latest F-35C and F/A-18 fighter jets. Combined with A-10C attack aircraft based on land and support from the Israeli Air Force, this grouping is capable of delivering precision strikes at distances of up to 1,000 kilometers without the need for additional staging areas. Analysts note that the current actions of the U.S. resemble preparations for recent operations in Venezuela, where the political regime of the country was effectively eliminated with the support of the Delta Force special unit. Military experts identify two possible scenarios: either targeted destruction of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities and nuclear infrastructure within Iran, or a mass attack on pro-Iranian groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
Washington describes its maneuvers as a "deterrence" strategy aimed at reassuring allies in the region. The U.S. President emphasizes that a final decision on a military strike has not yet been made, but readiness for it is at the highest level. In response, Tehran warned that any provocation would be perceived as the beginning of a "full-scale war," and promised a harsh response, including attempts to sink American aircraft carriers and blockade key maritime routes. Despite the escalating tensions, many international analysts believe that a full-scale conflict is unlikely due to the catastrophic consequences for the global economy and security; however, the accumulated military potential in the region poses a serious risk of accidental escalation of the conflict.
