Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

US, KSA, and 'Israel' to build a fleet of drones against Iran: WSJ

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Wall Street Journal
  • 1 Sep 2022 12:26
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

A number of unmanned drones from the United States, "Israel", and Gulf allies are aimed at targeting Tehran in the Gulf region.

  • x
  • Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, center, at a briefing about unmanned aerial vehicles in Bahrain in January.PHOTO: US. NAVY
    Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at a briefing about unmanned aerial vehicles in Bahrain in January (US NAVY)

The US Navy, along with "Israel," Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries, is working to establish a network of unmanned drones to limit Iran's military in the region; a program that the Pentagon hopes will serve as a model for operations around the world.

US commanders declined to reveal the number of airborne and marine drones deployed by the US and its partners or to provide data on where and how they are employed, citing secret information. However, they claim that unmanned vessels and aircraft are providing them with improved visibility over the region's seas.

Read next: US Navy claims to stop Iran's trial to seize unmanned vessel in Gulf

The Navy plans to have 100 tiny surveillance drones operating from the Suez Canal in Egypt to waters off the Iranian coast by next summer, relaying data to a command center in Bahrain, the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet.

“I think we are truly on the cusp of an unmanned technological revolution,” said Capt. Michael Brasseur, who heads the US Navy task force working on the drone fleet in the Middle East.

The drone effort, now in its sixth month, is part of a growing cooperation partnership between the United States, "Israel", and normalizing Gulf nations. It is similar to another US-led initiative to bring "Israel" and its Gulf neighbors together to form a regional air-"defense" network.

What are the drone capabilities? 

US Navy officers and private contractors monitor the drones' movement from the Robotic Operation Center in Manama. When the drones locate "dark targets" or "suspected threats", video screens flash red.

The drones, which can float for up to six months at sea, can send back detailed photographs and data. Analysts examine the photographs to see their depictions.

Related News

Trump approves Patriot missiles to Ukraine, bills EU for costs

Russia slams US-Denmark military pact as threat to its security

It is claimed that the drones being tested right now are unarmed. Defense analysts, however, expect that the Navy will eventually arm some of its ships, which will undoubtedly cause fierce debate.

Read next: US, West Asia allies building anti-Iran UAV network: Reports

Concerns have been expressed by US senators about the Navy's ambitions to create larger unmanned ships, which might cost billions of dollars. And the military must still figure out how to employ smaller drones, shield them from attack, and act on the data they transmit.

The US drone operations amid mounting US concern about Iran’s expanding influence in one of the world’s most important economic thoroughfares, right in Iran's backyard. And to this end, Tehran deployed ships and submarines equipped with aerial drones and has warned it is prepared to use them against any imminent danger threatening its interests in the region. 

“If the enemies make a mistake, these drones will present them with a regrettable response,” Abdolrahim Mousavi, an Iranian army commander, told reporters during a recent visit by President Biden to the region thousands of miles away from home.

Red Sea exercises 

Earlier this year, the US Navy confirmed that it carried out maritime maneuvers, called the International Maritime Exercise (IMX), in which 9,000 people from 60 countries participated. The 18-day biennial exercises were launched on January 31.

The exercises, which took place in the Red Sea, were led by the Israeli forces, as well as many other countries that do not have official diplomatic ties with "Israel", including Pakistan. 

The US Navy is testing a range of unmanned craft, including one that looks like a speedboat and can reach speeds of nearly 90 miles an hour. It is also working with Predator-style aerial drones and the Saildrone, which can stay at sea for six months.

Read next: IOF launch largest military exercise in history of occupation

The true test of the drones will be whether they provide intelligence that leads to action—such as the seizure of contraband cargo.

“Just watching alone might limit Iran’s behavior,” said Stacie Pettyjohn, director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security. “But if they realize that they are not going to follow through and do anything, it may not be much of a deterrent,” she claimed.

The Israeli occupation forces confirmed on June 2 that "Israel" has concluded its "Chariots of Fire" exercises in the Red Sea, which included a Dolphin-class submarine and Sa’ar corvettes.

  • United States
  • Tehran
  • Gulf region
  • Israel
  • Nuclear supply
  • US Navy
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Iran

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS