Kurilla’s visit may be seen as sending a message to U.S. adversaries in the region, including Iran, of Washington’s capabilities, including submarines that can carry up to 20 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with multiple warheads.
A defense official said Kurilla’s visit was not a response to any recent event or provocation, but is more a signal after months of mounting tensions, which have seen attacks against locations housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria.
In June, U.S. officials said attacks by Iranian proxies against bases housing U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Syria were increasing, while Washington had not responded with force since 2021.
Iran has not appeared to publicly comment on Wednesday’s submarine visit.
The submarine visit also comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with Iran becoming more involved in the war, including supplying drones Russia has used to strike targets in Ukraine.
Kurilla’s trip to the submarine included a helicopter ride to a large ship, a ride to a smaller boat, then crossing a rope bridge to step onto the submarine, a U.S. military official said. He also visited with the head of Naval Forces in the region, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, they said.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com
