Iranian war games in the Gulf coincide with the arrival of US aircraft carrier
Gulf Region, Military, 10/13/1997

Iran's naval and air forces are staging this week a series of war games in the Gulf as the US aircraft carrier Nimitz moved hastily into the area. Iran's fighter-bombers and helicopters flew today over a parade of 120 ships engaged in the military exercises.

Ships of the Navy and revolutionary guard naval unites paraded before the command ship to demonstrate Iran's naval power and supremacy, according to the official news agency, IRNA. The exercise involves 100 vessels including two Russian-made Kilo Class diesel submarines and anti-submarine helicopters, Tehran radio said.

At the same time, the US aircraft carrier Nimitz, which arrived in the Gulf yesterday with its battle group of six warships, was seen with jet fighters flying in the sky in what was declared as "normal flight operations."

The carrier, armed with 50 fighters and more and 20 other fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, was rushed to the Gulf ahead of schedule from the South China Sea following tension over the Iran-Iraq order.

The increase in tension followed Iranian air raids on two Iraqi bases of the Mujahideen Khalq, an armed group of exiles opposed to Iran's Islamic revolutionary regime. Washington has said the build-up was aimed at preventing Iraqi aircraft from violating a US-enforced no-fly zone over Southern Iraq.

The arrival of the battle group to reinforce the eight destroyers, frigate and other US warships already in the Gulf coincided with the Iranian war games launched every year in northern Gulf waters and planned before the Nimitz hurried to the region. Iran aims through these regular military exercises to display its power and ability to defend its security and interests, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA quoting military officials.

A spokesman at the US navy's fifth fleet headquarters in Bahrain did not comment on an Iranian accusation that US ships were spying on the war games. But he confirmed yesterday that Nimitz will be operating in the Gulf as was planned all along as part of "Operation Southern Watch."

Various ships in the battle group would also be operating as part of the multi-national maritime interception force checking shipping to and from Iraq and conducting operations and exercises with Gulf Arab and Western allied navies.

Gulf States, who rely on a large US military presence in the region for their protection, have rejected an Iranian offer of joint exercises and said they would continue to depend on the United States, Britain and France to guarantee their defense "for the foreseeable future."

Previous Stories:
  Kuwaiti-Iranian crisis over Kuwati congressman's remarks against the USA   (10/13/1997)
  Full speed ahead for the Nimitz battleship on way Gulf, troubled Iraq   (10/4/1997)
  Saddam: peace with Iran and others with sword at hand   (9/29/1997)

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