Iran may have strategically relocated its strike drones and other military equipment under the guise of joint military exercises with Russia in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a defense expert.
Cameron Chell, a representative from the defense firm Draganfly, described these maneuvers as a “calculated escalation” in response to escalating tensions with the United States. He suggested that the Russian-led military drills might have served as a cover for Iran to discreetly position its drones for operational readiness.
In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Chell noted that this potential repositioning coincided with reports of U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones, which are equipped with precision strike capabilities, being spotted in the area.
“The Russian exercises, conducted along the coastline, could have provided Iranian forces with the opportunity to reposition their assets under the pretext of participating in military drills,” Chell explained.
These joint exercises, as reported by The Associated Press, took place while then-President Donald Trump increased pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program, following indirect discussions in Geneva.
The combined exercises, reported by The Associated Press, also came as President Donald Trump pressed Iran further to make a deal to give up its nuclear weapons ambitions following indirect talks in Geneva.
“We’re going to make a deal, or we’re going to get a deal one way or the other,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, signaling determination to secure an agreement.
Meanwhile, on Feb. 18, U.S. Central Command posted photos showing F/A-18 Super Hornets landing on the deck of USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
Iran’s latest moves reportedly follow sightings of U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones. (John Moore/Getty Images)
Flight-tracking data in recent days also showed U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton surveillance drones operating near Iran’s coastline.
One Triton was observed Feb. 14 and another on Feb. 18, conducting high-altitude maritime intelligence missions over the Gulf.
Chell noted the MQ Triton surveillance drone operating near Iran’s coastline.
He added these drones could likely launch from land bases in countries such as Saudi Arabia or Qatar and provide real-time situational awareness to naval commanders.
“The Russian drills would cover for the Iranian forces to move their drones into strike position,” Chell told Fox News Digital. (Iranian Army/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Chell also added the MQ-9 Reaper, capable of precision strikes – and operates between 25,000 and 40,000 feet and is difficult for Iran to counter.
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, USS Gerald R. Ford, the second aircraft carrier Trump has sent to the Middle East, and its accompanying ships are heading across the Atlantic Ocean into the Mediterranean Sea.
NATO country and U.S. ally Poland also warned its citizens Thursday to immediately flee Iran, with its prime minister saying the “possibility of a conflict is very real.”
