A chilling Israeli warning to the United States is reportedly overturning Donald Trump’s plans and delaying the looming American strike against Iran, despite the concentration of frigates, air assets, and other military forces in the broader Middle East region in recent days.
The issue concerns a revealing report by the Jerusalem Post, which, echoing Israeli officials, stresses that swarms of cheap Iranian drones are emerging as a serious threat to United States forces being deployed in the Persian Gulf.
Indeed, the Israeli outlet cites the CEO of the Canadian drone company Draganfly, who speaks of the “serious threat” posed by Iranian Shahed drones to the “extremely expensive ships of the U.S. Navy.”
More specifically, Cameron Chell pointed out that Iran’s advantage does not lie in technological superiority, but in volume and cost.
Shock warning: Iran’s low cost drones can penetrate radar and air defenses, putting U.S. ships at risk
The growing use of low cost offensive drones by Iran, operating in swarms, constitutes a credible threat to the extremely expensive ships of the U.S. Navy, Cameron Chell, CEO of the Canadian drone company Draganfly, stated more specifically to Fox News Digital on Monday 26/1.
Cameron Chell emphasized that Iran’s advantage lies not in technological superiority, but in volume and cost, as it combines cheap warheads with economical launch platforms that can be released by the thousands.
“If hundreds are launched in a short period of time, it is almost certain that some will get through,” he told Fox News Digital, describing how near simultaneous arrivals can strain radars, interceptors, and close in weapon systems.
The most expensive U.S. naval assets in the crosshairs of the Shaheds
The assessment focused on potential risks to large, slow surface ships that are easily detected and, in saturation scenarios, may face unfavorable cost exchange ratios, expending extremely expensive interceptors against cheap attackers.
Cameron Chell stressed that such swarms give Iran “a very credible way to threaten surface ships,” especially if launched in coordinated waves designed to deplete ammunition stocks and create gaps in coverage.
The USS Abraham Lincoln entered the Indian Ocean
Shortly after the report, a U.S. official told Fox News that the strike group of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln had entered the waters of U.S. Central Command in the Indian Ocean.
Later, an American source confirmed the news to the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post.
In recent days, movements of U.S. forces and consultations between CENTCOM and the military leadership of Israel have intensified amid rising regional tensions.
The backdrop includes years of drone and missile activity in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, as well as the evolving cooperation in counter drone defense among the United States, Israel, and allied forces.
“Modern U.S. defense systems may be saturated”
Cameron Chell concluded that the primary operational dilemma is the imbalance between cost and capacity.
“Modern defense systems were not originally designed to handle this type of saturation attack,” he told Fox News Digital.
At the end of last week, the strike group of the USS Abraham Lincoln began moving toward the region with destroyers equipped with the Aegis system and reinforced air assets, while open source intelligence and regional reports showed heavy transport aircraft flowing into bases in the Gulf and bomber activity from Diego Garcia.
The deployment was described as part of contingency planning with regional partners.
Iran targets U.S. aircraft carriers, when you sow the wind you reap the storm
For its part, Tehran sent a signal of heightened readiness ahead of the aircraft carrier’s arrival.
Officials warned that any attack would be treated as “total war,” while authorities unveiled a new public mural in central Tehran depicting a destroyed American aircraft carrier alongside the warning, “If you sow the wind, you will reap the storm.”
Late on Friday 23/1, Donald Trump stated that the United States of America has “many ships heading toward Iran,” adding that “we have an armada going there,” while simultaneously expressing hope that they would not be used.
At the same time, his envoys and advisers presented the deployment as deterrence amid concern over the regime’s brutal crackdown on recent mass protests.
CENTCOM chief in Tel Aviv, Israel warms up F 15, F 35, Growlers and THAAD batteries
This week, the head of U.S. Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, met again with the IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir in their second meeting in a short period, as the two sides coordinated their cooperation in air, naval, and missile defense amid the approach of the aircraft carrier.
The IDF emphasized a “close strategic bond” between the militaries, while reports noted additional American assets in the theater of operations, including F 15, F 35, Growlers, and THAAD batteries deployed to strengthen regional defense against the threat of Iran’s ballistic missiles.
The most advanced U.S. electronic warfare aircraft rushed to Europe
At the same time, the United States Air Force deployed one of its most advanced electronic warfare aircraft, the EA 37B Compass Call, to Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
According to air traffic data, the aircraft took off on 25 January from L.F. Wade International Airport in the British overseas territory of Bermuda, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, and landed in Germany the same day.
The EA 37B was developed by the American L3Harris and the British BAE Systems on the basis of the business jet Gulfstream G550.
Its primary mission is the disruption of enemy command and control networks, significantly hampering adversary coordination.
The first aircraft of this type entered service in 2024.
The aircraft, which is easily recognized by the large antenna arrays mounted symmetrically on each side of the fuselage, is specially equipped to conduct jamming of radars, navigation systems, and communications.
The deployment of an EA 37B to Germany comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran.
Ramstein Air Base, the hub of the U.S. Air Force in Europe, is a critical logistical and command point for operations extending into the Middle East.
Over the years, Ramstein has often served as a staging and coordination point for assets later used in the area of responsibility of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Why a campaign against Iran could last even months
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this month threatened military action if Iran killed protesters or carried out mass executions of detainees, but recently backtracked, claiming that the Islamic Republic halted the hanging of 800 prisoners.
Nevertheless, he ordered the deployment of additional military assets to the Middle East.
The EA 37B could eventually be deployed to the Middle East, close to Iran.
It would likely take no more than one day to reach the area and begin operations.
Other assets have already set out for the region.
CENTCOM confirmed on 26 January the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying warships.
The United States, therefore, is clearly preparing for an attack against Iran.
However, it is unlikely that the attack will take place soon.
The military buildup in the Middle East could last weeks, or even several months, until it is completed.
While the assets currently available in the region are sufficient for a single strike, the Islamic Republic has already sworn to retaliate harshly, and as a result the United States is preparing for an all out war.
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