The US Navy has launched a submarine capable of carrying a large missile payload to the Middle East in an apparent warning directed at Iran.
The nuclear-powered submarine is deployed in the US 5th Fleet, which has a patrol that includes the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
“It is capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet to help ensure regional maritime security and stability,” said Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins.
IRAN REISSUES ‘KILL TRUMP, POMPEO’ THREAT FOR SOLEIMANI’S DEATH IN ANNOUNCEMENT OF LONG-RANGE CRUISE MISSILE
This photo released by the US Navy shows a missile submarine capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk missiles. The navy said the nuclear-powered submarine, based in Kings Bay, Georgia, passed through the Suez Canal on Friday, April 7, 2023. (US Navy via AP)
US-Iranian relations have deteriorated further in recent years following former President Donald Trump’s successful order to kill Iran’s top military commander, Qasem Soleimani – as well as his decision to end a deal that limited sanctions against Iran in exchange for a reduction in the development of nuclear weapons.
Iran’s heightened aggression also extends to US allies – namely the UK and Israel – which, along with the US, have reported unusual amounts of aggression and even attacks from the forces. Iranian.
Iran has denied this information.
US NAVAL FORCES HELPS UK SEIZE ‘ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILES’ IN IRAN
In February, Iran has renewed its threats to target Trump and key members of his former cabinet, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, for the 2020 killing of Soleimani.
“God willing, we seek to kill Trump [and] Pompeo…and the military commanders who gave the order must be killed,” Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force, told Iranian state television.
IRAN SAYS NEW LONG-RANGE CRUISE MISSILE CAN STRIKE US SHIPS WITHIN 1,000 MILES
Anti-tank guided missiles and medium-range ballistic missile components are seen at a military installation in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations February 26, following the seizure in the Gulf of Oman. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Murphy)
Last month, United States Naval Forces teamed up with his British counterparts to seize “anti-tank guided missiles” and missile components on a boat from Iran.
The joint operation – in which the United States provided “intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance air support for an interdiction in the Gulf of Oman led by the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy” – took place held on February 23.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Iran has expanded its missile program in recent years, bolstering what it claims are defensive weapons in defiance of the West following the collapse of the nuclear arms treaty.
While Western officials are concerned about Iran’s growing weapons programs, they have also urged caution regarding the viability of Iran’s capabilities, including in November when the Pentagon said that he was skeptical of Hajizadeh’s claims that Iran had added hypersonic ballistic missile to its inventory.
Fox News’ Caitlin McFall and Greg Norman contributed to this report.