Standoff lasts 54 days; both the U.S. and Iran say they are ready to resume hostilities.

On the 22nd, the standoff between the US and Iran with the US’s ally Israel entered its 54th day. The maritime blockade the US has imposed on Iran has become a key obstacle to negotiations. Iranian armed forces stated that they are “100%” ready for combat. Meanwhile, a senior US military official said the US is prepared to resume military operations against Iran.

On the evening of the 21st, missiles of models such as Qader and Khorramshahr-4 were displayed in a square in Tehran, Iran’s capital, to show the enemy that “Iran’s missile capabilities are fully prepared.” It is said that over the past two weeks, Iran has consistently assessed that the likelihood of fighting breaking out again is high, and has carried out some military redeployments accordingly—preparing a new list of strike targets. Iran said it is prepared. On the other hand, the US is also speeding up military deployments. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Kane, said, “The US military is ready at any time and can immediately restart large-scale combat operations targeting Iran.”

The US aircraft carrier USS Bush is expected to head to the Arabian Sea in the coming days and most likely will take over from the USS Ford. During the handover period, the US is expected to form a deployment posture in the Middle East with three aircraft carriers: USS Bush, USS Ford, and USS Lincoln. In addition, although the US claims it has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, in recent days Iranian oil tankers have entered the relevant sea areas despite the blockade lines and returned to Iran’s territorial waters. (CCTV News)