Iran building fake US aircraft carrier to destroy in propaganda attack

USS Nimitz. Photograph courtesy of US Navy

Iran is building a basic mock-up of a US aircraft carrier in a shipyard on its Gulf coast with an aim of destroying it in a propaganda attack according to reports.

Commercial satellite images show the vessel, which appears to be similar in shape and size to a Minitz-class carrier and complete with fake wooden aircraft on deck, is being constructed near Bandar Abbas.

Iran has made no attempt to hide the construction and have not outlined their plans for the fake carrier, but Navy and other US officials have proposed that the “Target Barge” could be towed out to sea, blown up on camera, so that Iran could use the footage for propaganda purposes according to the New York Times.