The United States has issued a warning of an impending assault on Iran, positioning its formidable naval fleet, including the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, in the Arabian Sea. In response, Iran is bolstering its security measures. Satellite imagery and expert analyses reveal Iran is further hiding its nuclear installations. Strengthening its presence in the seas, Iran is displaying its might.
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Source: aajtak
Why is Iran Concerned?
In June 2025, a joint operation by Israel and the US targeted Iran's key nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz. The US deployed 12 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on Fordow, each weighing 30,000 pounds, inflicting significant damage. With the US seemingly preparing for another assault, Iran is on high alert. Their nuclear program, now dubbed 'Nuclear Gold', is being concealed deeper underground.
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Ground Realities Revealed
Isfahan Nuclear Complex:
Satellite images (courtesy of David Albright's team at the Institute of Science and International Security) indicate Iran is burying tunnel entrances deeper. New soil heaps are evident as dump trucks continuously seal the main entrances.
Source: aajtak
Repairing Past Damages:
The June 2025 attacks by Israel caused damage to a building's roof in Isfahan. Imagery from December 2025 to January 2026 displays phased reconstruction. Debris has been cleared, though some parts remain unfinished.
This points to Iran's lessons learned from past attacks, fortifying its uranium enrichment centers.
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Source: aajtak
Iran's Preparations at Sea
Iran has moved its flagship drone carrier, Shahid Bagheri, 6 kilometers off the coast of Bandar Abbas.
Satellite imagery from open-source researcher Ben Tzion and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirms this maneuver.
According to Iranian state media, Iran has dispatched hundreds of fast attack crafts, missile-launching ships, and support vessels near the US carrier group.
The IRGC Navy is planning a two-day live-fire exercise in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on February 1 and 2.
Rumors in Iranian media suggest a forthcoming joint exercise with China and Russia in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, but confirmation from Russia and China is pending.
Source: aajtak
US Position and Power Display
The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is stationed in the Arabian Sea, representing the US's formidable might, comprising destroyers, fighter jets, and cruise missiles. The US has significantly increased its military clout in the Middle East, pressurizing Iran. The Trump administration's firm stand against Iran's nuclear ambitions and unrest is evident.
Source: aajtak
Iran is not merely living in fear but actively defending itself. The concealment of its nuclear sites deeper underground and naval deployments underscore its readiness against potential US strikes. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route, holds significant implications for the global economy should conflict arise. The delicate balance of power continues – threats loom large, yet a major conflict is yet to erupt.
