As President Donald Trump’s ultimatum hangs over Tehran like a storm cloud, Iran has turned to its ally Russia for a show of naval strength. The two nations’ fleets are now conducting extensive joint drills in strategically vital waters—the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean—demonstrating interoperability amid fears of imminent U.S. aggression.
According to reports on Iran’s military portal, the exercise featured a dramatic counter-hijacking operation involving elite units from the IRGC, regular Iranian forces, and Russian specialists. Key participants ranged from the formidable Alvand destroyer and missile-firing vessels to rotary-wing aircraft, amphibious craft, and fast-attack boats. This follows Iran’s recent IRGC-led closure of the Hormuz Strait during its own maneuvers, rattling global energy markets.
Trump, speaking to reporters on Thursday from Air Force One, gave Iran a narrow window of 10 to 15 days to reach a nuclear deal, cautioning that ‘very bad things’ await beyond it. Reinforcing this posture, he ordered the deployment of the world’s largest carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East, augmenting the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group.
The U.S. has surged its regional firepower, with CNN sources warning of strike readiness by week’s end. An Axios report cited a presidential advisor estimating a 90% chance of attacks within weeks if diplomacy fails—operations that could span days or longer, zeroing in on nuclear sites, missile programs, and leadership targets alongside Israeli partners.
Further escalating the narrative, The Wall Street Journal disclosed Trump’s contemplation of precision, limited strikes on select Iranian installations to force concessions. Such moves, if authorized, might unfold swiftly, underscoring a high-wire act in international relations where miscalculation could ignite a wider war.