289: Bonus Chapter ● The US-Iran Conflict in the Persian Gulf (Part 5)

Washington, D.C., The Pentagon.

General Frank McKenzie, Commander of Central Command, stood before the map with a furrowed brow.

General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sat to the side, flipping through a report in his hands.

McKenzie spoke, "Mark, what do you think?"

Milley closed the report and said slowly, "Frank, this was our mistake. Sending a drone deep into another country's airspace without authorization or cover was pure suicide."

McKenzie gave a bitter smile. "But now is not the time to assign blame. The question is, what should we do? If we endure it, the international community will mock us; if we strike back, it could trigger a large-scale conflict."

Milley stood up and walked to the window. "Iran is not Afghanistan or Iraq. They have a complete air defense system, thousands of missiles, and hundreds of thousands of troops."

"Even if we launch airstrikes, how many targets can we destroy? If they retaliate, our bases and aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf are all within their missile range."

McKenzie was silent for a moment. "So you mean... we endure it?"

Milley turned around. "It's not about enduring, it's about staying calm. We can increase sanctions, launch cyberattacks, or support their opposition. But a direct military conflict... the cost is too high."

McKenzie took a deep breath. "I understand. I will order the 'USS Harry' to maintain its distance and suspend trans-border flights."

Milley nodded. "Also, thoroughly investigate the chain of command for this operation and hold those responsible accountable. We cannot let this happen again."

Tehran, National Guard Headquarters.

Commander-in-Chief Qasim was convening a meeting of senior officers.

A massive map of the Persian Gulf hung on the wall, marked with the locations of all USA military bases and vessels.

The Director of Intelligence stood up and pointed at the map.

"Commander-in-Chief, according to the latest intelligence, the aircraft carrier 'USS Harry' has retreated fifty nautical miles and suspended all trans-border flights. Drone activity from Al Dhafra Air Base has also ceased."

"But their airbases in Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE remain on high alert, with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and F-35 Fighter Jets ready to take off at any moment."

Commander-in-Chief Qasim nodded. "They are afraid, but they haven't given up. Tell all units to remain in combat readiness; do not relax."

The Commander of the Air Defense Forces raised his hand. "Commander-in-Chief, our existing 'Sky Thunder' series missiles are sufficient to handle large-scale airstrikes. However, there are still blind spots in our radar system, especially at low altitudes, which are vulnerable to cruise missile breakthroughs."

Commander-in-Chief Qasim pondered for a moment. "I will contact the arms dealers to procure a batch of low-altitude gap-filler radars as soon as possible. Meanwhile, organize the troops for anti-cruise missile drills."

The Commander of the Air Force asked, "Commander-in-Chief, if we truly go to war with the USA, how long can our air force hold out?"

Commander-in-Chief Qasim looked at him and said slowly, "We don't need to hold out for long. As long as we can shoot down dozens of their fighter jets and sink one or two of their warships, they will back down. The people of the USA cannot bear the casualties of war."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the officers present. "Remember, we do not initiate provocations, but we will never back down. If the USA wants to fight, we will see it through to the end!"

One week later, southern border of Iran, over Camelman Bay.

Two USA F-15 Eagle fighter jets circled over international waters, only ten nautical miles from Iranian airspace.

Radar operator Ali Hosseini stared intently at the screen, his palms sweating.

"Report: Two F-15 Eagle fighter jets, speed Mach 0.8, altitude 9,000 meters, are approaching our airspace!"

Major Amir reported immediately.

Brigadier General Jafari replied quickly: "Order the 'Sky Thunder' Type V long-range air defense missiles to enter combat readiness. Have the radar lock onto them, but do not fire. Let's see what they intend to do."

Inside the F-15 Eagle fighter jet, Lieutenant Colonel John Smith looked at the locking warning flashing on the radar and sneered. "They've locked onto us. Heh, they've got guts."

The wingman pilot asked, "Colonel, should we get closer?"

Smith shook his head. "No, just fly here. Make them nervous, but don't give them an excuse to fire."

The two F-15 Eagle fighter jets shuttled back and forth at the border, turning back every time they neared the airspace, like two provocative wolves.

Su-30 fighter jets took off again. Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Hamid led his wingman to the border to confront the F-15 Eagle fighter jets.

Both sides circled in the narrow airspace, locking onto each other with radar, the atmosphere tense to the extreme.

Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Hamid said coldly, "USA aircraft, you are approaching Iranian airspace. Please leave immediately!"

Lieutenant Colonel Smith replied with a smile, "Iranian friends, we are in international waters and have the right to free flight. It's none of your business."

Lieutenant Colonel Hamid gritted his teeth. "If you take one more step closer, I will fire!"

Smith shrugged. "Fire? Do you dare? You already caused big trouble by shooting down a drone last time. If you shoot down a manned aircraft, just wait to be bombed."

The standoff lasted for a full two hours before both sides eventually withdrew.

Brigadier General Jafari received the report and said in a heavy voice, "They are testing our bottom line. Tell the troops: as long as they dare to cross the border, strike!"