Killing machines

Diego Garcia, an island spanning 12.7 square miles, lies approximately 3,272 miles from Tehran. Named after the Portuguese viceroy Dom Garcia de Noronha, the island is currently experiencing its largest buildup of killing machines since its discovery over 500 years ago.

Diego Garcia is currently hosting seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, the deadliest war machines in the U.S. Air Force’s arsenal. Each B-2, priced at a staggering $2 billion, costs approximately $1 million per day to operate. On a lethal strike mission, the B-2 is accompanied by an elite squadron including the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, B-1B Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3 Sentry (AWACS), and RQ-4 Global Hawk, forming a formidable aerial armada. With this unprecedented buildup, Diego Garcia has transformed into a ticking time bomb of apocalyptic power, ready to unleash havoc at a moment’s notice!

The Red Sea, located 1,319 miles from Tehran, is currently hosting Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Harry S Truman, centred on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman. The carrier deploys Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1), featuring squadrons of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers for electronic warfare, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes for airborne surveillance, MH-60R Seahawks for multi-mission support, and C-2A Greyhounds.

CSG Harry S Truman operates with a robust escort of surface and subsurface vessels, including a guided-missile cruiser armed with Tomahawk missiles, anti-submarine weapons and air defence systems, at least two guided-missile destroyers equipped for multi-mission roles, and a Virginia-class attack submarine providing stealth and strike capabilities. The monthly operating cost of CSG Harry S Truman is estimated at $120 million.

CSG Carl Vinson, recently deployed to the Indo-Pacific, has now been ordered to the Red Sea. Like other carrier strike groups, it doesn’t operate alone. Instead, it relies on a powerful escort of guided-missile cruisers armed with Tomahawk missiles, guided-missile destroyers, and attack submarines, all equipped for multi-mission strike capabilities. This formidable force comes at a steep price -- add an additional $120 million per month.

The Houthis possess a limited arsenal, including Samad-3 drones, Borkan missiles, and anti-ship weapons, capable of harassing shipping and striking regional targets. To be certain, the Houthis pose no direct threat to the United States.

Why has the US deployed an overwhelming force -- CSG Harry S Truman, CSG

Carl Vinson, stealth fighters like the F-35C and B-2 Spirit, dozens of Super Hornets, guided-missile cruisers, destroyers, and submarines? With operating costs potentially exceeding $750 million a month, it’s clear this massive military buildup isn’t just to

tame the Houthis.

Looking ahead, three outcomes seem possible: a nuclear deal between Iran and the US, limited conflict or all-out war. I’m cautiously optimistic about a negotiated pause, assigning it a 35 per cent probability. The most probable scenario, at 50 per cent, is a limited conflict, while all-out war, though possible, feels least likely at 15 per cent.

This isn’t a mere flex against Yemen’s rebels. Whether it ends in a nuclear deal with Iran (35 per cent), limited strikes (50 per cent), or all-out war (15 per cent), one stark reality looms: the energy packed into these killing machines -- hundreds of megatons of potential destruction -- could, if unleashed, trigger fallout that chokes Asian skies. It’s a man-made apocalypse from which no victor could emerge unscathed.

The writer is a columnist based in Islamabad. He tweets/posts @saleemfarrukh and can be reached at: farrukh15@hotmail.com