Iran’s Alborz warship has reportedly entered the Red Sea, emerging at a time of heightened tensions in the key shipping route amid ongoing attacks on vessels in response to the Israel-Hamas war. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Monday that the vessel had entered the Red Sea through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, though it was unclear precisely when. Tasnim did not give details of the Alborz’s mission but said Iranian warships had been operating in open waters to secure shipping routes, combat piracy, and carry out other tasks since 2009. The Alvand class destroyer had been a part of the Iranian navy’s 34th fleet, and patrolled the Gulf of Aden, the north of the Indian Ocean and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait as far back as 2015, according to Iran’s Press TV. The news comes as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group – which was moved to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea following Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 invasion of Israel – is heading back to its home in Norfolk, Va. NN: Iran rushes in as the US rushes out. Runs away might be a better way to put it. Bottom line this is clearly another major step closer to a major confrontation. US deploying World War II tactics will end in a major defeat. The days of naval escorts for protecting ships at sea in the era of smart rockets and drones will not work.
US aircraft carrier to return from deployment to Mediterranean
The United States aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, deployed to the eastern Mediterranean following the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, is set to return to its home port in the coming days, according to a statement from the US Navy. The carrier was sent to contribute to regional deterrence and defense posture and its return is part of scheduled preparations for future deployments. The new-generation aircraft carrier is a 100,000-ton nuclear-powered ship equipped with advanced technologies. NN: This is the biggest in the world. The pentagon did not want to risk the humiliation of a very good chance their latest toy suffered a direct hit from Iran.