In a bold display of military coordination, Iran and Russia have kicked off joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, just as tensions with the United States reach a boiling point. The maneuvers come against the backdrop of escalating rhetoric from President Donald Trump, who issued a stark 10-to-15-day deadline for Iran to negotiate on its nuclear program or face dire consequences.
The Iranian military’s website detailed the operation, highlighting a high-stakes simulation where forces from Iran’s army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Russian special operations teams successfully liberated a hijacked vessel. Assets deployed included the Alvand destroyer, missile-armed warships, helicopters, landing craft, special ops units, and combat speedboats. This drill follows closely on the heels of an IRGC exercise earlier in the week that temporarily sealed off the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments.
Trump’s warning, delivered aboard Air Force One, underscored the urgency: ‘I think that’s plenty of time.’ His administration has ramped up its presence in the Middle East, deploying the massive USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to bolster the already formidable USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group and accompanying guided-missile destroyers.
U.S. military buildup in the region has intensified, with air and naval forces swelling in recent days. Reports from CNN, citing sources, indicate American forces could strike Iran within the week. Axios revealed that a Trump advisor pegs the odds of an attack at 90% if nuclear talks collapse, potentially involving weeks-long operations targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities in coordination with Israel.
The Wall Street Journal, quoting insiders, suggests Trump is mulling limited initial strikes on military and government sites to coerce Tehran into compliance. Approval for such action could greenlight operations in mere days, signaling a precarious standoff where alliances are hardening and the risk of broader conflict looms large.