Iran films an American attack sub

 

Screenshots showing the attack sub. Warzone/The Drive.

Iran released video showing an American attack sub shadowing an Iranian training exercise. War Zone/The Drive. The submarine is likely an Ohio Class guided missile submarine, most likely the USS Georgia. The sub was likely shadowing the Iranian exercise, which involves much of their Navy, and includes their Fatah class submarine and various other vessels. Ohio class submarines are usually used to launch Tomahawk missiles but are also used to deploy special forces and mini-subs. The video showed the Ohio class ship at periscope depth. The Iranians claimed that they tried to contact the submarine and that the ship left the area after being discovered and warned. 

My Comment:

Fairly impressive video from Iran there. They were able to track that sub and they seem to have successfully drove it off. That's a pretty big win for the Iranian military even though I am sure it was only temporary. 

So what was the Ohio class doing there? My guess is gathering intelligence. Iran deployed quite a bit of their most advanced military technology and learning how they intend to use it would be a boon for the US Navy. Shadowing the exercise was a good chance to learn what they are capable off. 

Learning that the Iranians can actually detect American subs at periscope depth is pretty important to know as well. Had this been a war they actually had a good chance at destroying the USS Georgia. Thankfully I doubt they would have been a periscope depth under these conditions during a war, but it's still fairly disturbing that the Iranians were able to find this ship. 

With that being said I do think that the Navy probably succeeded in their mission here. They likely got intel about Iran's new attack submarine and their new pseudo-helicopter carrier/forward base ship, the Makran. Both of those ships are new and their functions and capabilities are not fully known. 

Tensions are fairly high with Iran right now. Israel just destroyed a lot of their troops and weapons in Iran and it is very possible that they were planning a major attack. They also seem to want to take advantage of the obvious weakness of Joe Biden, should he be sworn in. America is weak right now and I wouldn't be surprised of Iran tries something further.