Iran is developing a so-called kamikaze drone program to intensify hostilities at sea, analysts warn. Counter Extremism (CEP) experts have warned that new drone bombing tactics are a “key element” in Tehran's efforts to influence the region.
The warning came at a time after a drone hit a tanker on a key shipping route in the Persian Gulf on July 30, with Iran denying its involvement. British Army guard and veteran Adrian Underwood was killed along with Romanian captain MT Mercer Street.
Soon after, in another incident, armed men – suspected of Iranian special forces – climbed aboard the asphalt princess, but fled as Western forces approached the ship. Tehran again denies any participation.
CEP analyst Daniel Roth said: “The Iranian threat to shipping in the Persian Gulf is significant and is confirmed by numerous examples of Iranian attacks, abductions, detentions and, increasingly, drone attacks.
“Iran considers the Gulf to be its private lake, which it has decided to share with its Arab coastal neighbors, but openly rejects foreign powers exercising their right to freedom of navigation in international waters.”
He added: “The fact that its American adversary has a naval base in Bahrain and regularly deploys the Fifth Fleet around the Persian Gulf is a slap in the face of Tehran due to its ancient Persian history and image of itself as a superpower. Lacking global deployment opportunities, Iran is doing its utmost to project and assert its power in its backyard. This often involves catching merchant ships. The target ship is usually associated with some specific foreign policy provocation or score settlement. Ships, even those with indirect communication with Israel, are therefore always vulnerable. In other cases, Iran detained a South Korean tanker to force Seoul to release funds, and a British tanker in retaliation for the arrest of an Iranian oil tanker for a regime sanctioned by Assad in Syria by the Royal Navy. These arrests are always made under the pretext that is most interesting. Roth, director of research at Washington's CEP, told Metro.co.uk that the recent naval incursions are part of a wider range of the military's new drone program the regime is developing.
“Iran has an army of drones at its disposal.” Iran's military drone program is a key element in expanding Iran's presence in a region used by both Tehran and its terrorists. “Threats to the freedom of navigation in international waters, the use of military successes in the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts and the disruption of the airspace of Israel and Saudi Arabia.
CEP scientists said Iran was making drones used by the Hutis against Saudi Arabia, where a terrorist group was attacking oil fields and civilian targets.
Active confrontation, “said Roth.
“In April this year, Iranian state television Press TV showed a disturbing video shot seven years ago by an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) drone flying over a US aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, as well as footage from a drone kamikaze.” Iran's ability to wage war with drones has apparently expanded significantly since the 2014 footage. “
Roth warned that the regime is committed to “maintaining dominance over the Gulf waterways” and that it seeks to secure “strategic interests in expanding and strengthening its influence in the region.”
The analyst warned: “Iran regularly transports people and equipment to its Houthi allies in Yemen and continues to supply oil and weapons to the Syrian ally. Iran also has a strategic interest in a simple projection of power and perceived regional hegemony. Chasing large US ships or detaining commercial ships under unlikely pretexts is two relatively inexpensive ways to achieve this, thanks to the IRGC Navy's fast boats. Roth warned that Tehran would continue to persecute Britain. He warned: “In regime circles, Britain is considered a 'little satan' compared to the 'great satanic' American, an unreliable puppet of Western imperialism. Although the United Kingdom continues to support a nuclear agreement with Iran or a joint comprehensive action plan, Iran remains a cold contempt for Britain in all other areas. Tehran is currently involved in several diplomatic quarrels with London.