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Iran's Revolutionary Guard Runs Drill on Disputed Islands as U.S. Military Presence in Region Grows
(AP-Washington Post) Nasser Karimi - Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched a surprise military drill Wednesday on the disputed Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb, claimed by the UAE. Swarms of small, fast boats took part, along with paratroopers, drones and truck-launched surface-to-sea missile systems, footage aired on state television showed. The Guard's chief, Gen. Hossein Salami, later told state TV: "There is absolutely no need for the presence of America or its European or non-European allies in the region." Iran's late shah seized the islands in 1971 just before the UAE became an independent country and Tehran has held the islands since. Iran has been trying to signal its displeasure over recent comments about the islands made by Russia, which earlier this summer in a joint statement with the Gulf Cooperation Council called for "bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice" to decide who should control the islands. The drill comes as thousands of Marines and sailors on the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and the USS Carter Hall, a landing ship, are on their way to the Persian Gulf. Already, the U.S. has sent A-10 Thunderbolt II warplanes, F-16 and F-35 fighters, as well as the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, to the region.