Why the Iranian Military Attacked a US Aircraft Carrier Replica

— -- The Iranian Revolutionary Guard conducted large-scale naval drills on Wednesday near the entrance to the Persian Gulf.

A replica of a U.S. aircraft carrier was damaged by speedboats during the drills, which were televised in Iran.

Cmdr. Kevin Stephens, the spokesman for the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain, told the Associated Press that they were monitoring the drills, but downplayed the simulated attack on the carrier, saying the U.S. military was "not concerned about this exercise."

The drills come ahead of a deadline for Iran and world powers to finalize a deal regarding Iran’s nuclear program, which has long been a point of contention.