Tensions between Iran and the United States have been steadily rising since May of 2018 when President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran Nuclear Deal, tensions were further increased when in January 2020 the United States launched a drone strike against Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian general. 

Tensions increased in July 2020, when an American F-15 Eagle intercepted an Iranian passenger aircraft in the skies above Syria when it deviated from its flight path. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the act endangered innocent civilian lives.

A week after the F-15 incident, a mock United States aircraft carrier was seen leaving the port of Bandar Abbas and heading to the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The mock USS Nimitz aircraft carrier is simply a barge, converted to look like the USS Nimitz CVN-68. It was later accidentally sunk by an Iranian helicopter-launched anti-ship missile.

President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Monday to issue a warning to Iran that an attack against the United States in retaliation for the assassination Qasem Soleimani would result in an attack that would be “1,000 times greater in magnitude,” against the Iranians.

State Intelligence reports concluded that Iran was planning an attack on the US ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks. Along with plans to assassinate other US diplomats and service members in the region. Iran has denied the allegations by the United States

“Depending on who’s allied with the Iranians it could make war very interesting, if the Russians or Chinese are involved it could result in WW3, just like what happened with Franz Ferdinand during WW1, “ said junior Max Puzanoff, a student very involved with history, politics, and current events.

The event revolving around the sunken mock US carrier raises more questions, the ship was made in 2013. The Iranians stated that the ship was to be used as a movie prop, but has been used on numerous occasions during Iranian military exercises. 

The sinking of the mock carrier doesn’t pose a threat to a US Carrier Strike Group, as CSGs are composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a flotilla of six to 10 destroyers and/or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft and submarines depending on the mission. 

“The fact that they [Iranians] are playing like this in the world theatre shows that they feel like a first strike could possibly get them a win because they know that they couldn’t win in a drawn-out war,” said Puzanoff.