U.S. Psychological Warfare vs. Iran’s Carrier-Sinking Arsenal

Date: 21 February 2026 - 21:59

News ID: ۱۴۸۸۷۳

TEHRAN — The deployment of U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups to the Persian Gulf is a routine practice in the U.S. military, but analysts say these movements often carry a pronounced psychological dimension, signaling power as much as preparing for potential military action.
After the dispatch of a strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln to the area of responsibility of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), speculation rose that the United States might be planning an attack on Iran.
Soon after, U.S. authorities announced that two additional carrier strike groups — one led by the USS George W. Bush and another by the USS Gerald R. Ford, described as the most advanced U.S. aircraft carrier — would also be sent to the region.
Yet analysts question whether deploying a carrier necessarily indicates a definite military operation. U.S. carrier strike groups routinely conduct missions throughout the year to maintain combat readiness or support American forces worldwide. These groups typically depart from Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia and later dock at San Diego on the West Coast.
Each strike group generally includes an aircraft carrier, roughly three cruisers, and several support vessels. Depending on the mission, a nuclear-powered submarine may also accompany the group.
Analysts note that sending carriers to a region does not, by itself, signal imminent military action. Such deployments are standard practice in the U.S. armed forces and are often used to project presence and influence.
According to U.S. strategic documents, Washington is required to keep six aircraft carriers ready for deployment at all times. Despite their combat power, these strike groups also serve as symbolic displays of American military strength, intended to send a psychological message to potential adversaries.
The movement of multiple carriers, especially one as advanced as the USS Gerald R. Ford, carries a dual purpose: operational readiness and psychological demonstration of force.
The Gerald R. Ford recently completed eight months of consecutive operations in the Caribbean Sea in missions related to Venezuela. Redeploying the carrier for another mission expected to last at least four months could fatigue the crew, potentially reducing operational effectiveness compared with other carriers in the region.
Amid these U.S. movements, Iran has signaled its own military capabilities. Charles Abi Nader, a retired Lebanese army brigadier general and military analyst, noted in an article for Al-Ahed that during indirect negotiations in Geneva between Iran and the United States, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warned that Iran is capable of sinking a moving U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the carrier itself is less dangerous than the weapon capable of destroying it.
Abi Nader observed that U.S. aircraft carriers are heavily fortified. Their compartmentalized design prevents fire or damage from spreading across the ship, while ammunition storage areas are reinforced to contain explosions.
Damage from an attack is typically limited to the targeted compartment. However, Abi Nader noted that Iran has developed missiles with advanced speed, guidance, and warhead capabilities designed to counter maritime targets, including carriers.
From a strategic perspective, Iran’s focus on anti-carrier capabilities is both technical and psychological. Tehran has prepared to deploy these weapons in waters from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, signaling a credible deterrent to potential adversaries.
Analysts argue that the presence of U.S. destroyers accompanying carriers would be largely ineffective against Iranian operations, given the limited range and type of their air defenses, while Tomahawk-equipped destroyers can only strike land targets far from regional maritime operations.
Hassan Ezzeddine, a member of the Lebanese parliament, addressed the broader context of ongoing indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. He said Iran entered negotiations from a position of strength, relying on both faith and operational readiness.
Ezzeddine stressed that while Iran does not underestimate U.S. capabilities or its allies, Tehran’s military and missile capacities allow it to resist pressure effectively.
“Those who believe Iran will raise a white flag or submit to demands are mistaken,” Ezzeddine said, adding that Iran will not compromise national interests, security, or sovereignty. He emphasized that negotiations focus exclusively on nuclear issues, and any agreement must respect Iran’s rights and maintain a balance of power.
Ezzeddine also warned that if diplomacy fails and the United States attempts military action, Iranian capabilities, some undisclosed, could surprise American intelligence and surveillance systems.
Citing Ayatollah Khamenei, he said Iran’s response to U.S. naval threats could include missiles capable of sinking warships.
“This is the strategic equation by which the Islamic Republic operates,” Ezzeddine said, asserting that such measures would ultimately weaken U.S. credibility and power projection in the region.
Analysts stress that while U.S. carrier deployments are operationally routine, the psychological impact of multiple carriers entering the Persian Gulf is significant.
At the same time, Iran’s missile warnings are designed to convey both technical capability and deterrence, reinforcing the perception that any attack on Iranian interests could provoke significant retaliation.
In its recent exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy unveiled a new vertical-launch missile system in the Persian Gulf, a move that has drawn significant attention in international media.
Iran tested its air defense missile, the Sayyad‑3, during the “Smart Control” exercise, marking the first time the system has been demonstrated in this context. A video released by the IRGC Navy on Saturday showed the firing of the naval version of the Sayyad‑3, known as Sayyad‑3G, from the warship Shahid Sayyad Shirazi.
The Sayyad‑3G missile is capable of vertical launch and has an estimated range of approximately 150 kilometers, Iranian officials said. They added that the system allows for the establishment of a regional air defense umbrella for vessels in the Shahid Soleimani class.
The Sayyad‑3 was first tested in its ground-based form on December 28, 2016. That version measures six meters in length, weighs roughly 900 kilograms, and has a range of 120 kilometers.
The “Smart Control” exercise in the Strait of Hormuz began on February 16 and continued for three days, showcasing a variety of operational capabilities of the IRGC Navy.
Emirati outlet The National highlighted the development, noting that Iran had demonstrated a new naval missile capability in the strategic waterway.