MQ-4C Triton drones with advanced 360-degree radar can detect, track and classify targets over large areas

At a time when a war between the United States and Iran is seen as "imminent", the last couple of days have seen US spy drone movement in the Persian Gulf. The question is whether the war is closer than what many think.

As per reports, at least two US Navy Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton drones have been sighted over the Persian Gulf in the last few days. One of these drones took off from the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and was controlled by a remote control, Wion reported.

The drone bore registration number '169660' and was operated under call sign OVRD01, the news website reported. The drones have started surveilling and gathering intelligence over the Gulf.

The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton drone has an advanced 360-degree radar. It can detect, track and classify targets over large areas, preparing the ground for the final attack.

Reports suggest that the drone carefully avoided international airspace along Iran's coastline. These are not the first instances of a surveilling operation by the US in the area.

While Washington and Tehran have been busy holding talks in Geneva, regarding Tehran's nuclear ambitions, the Persian Gulf has been busy with movement. The US' aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is already in the waters, with USS Gerald R. Ford set to join in soon.

Tehran too has been taking some offensive steps, including a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the important international oil choke point.

Meanwhile, media reports have suggested that the war might break out sooner than expected, and it will be a joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran. A Trump advisor was quoted by Axios News as saying, “Trump is fed up”, while asserting that a war might be imminent.

Other officials have maintained that the offensive this time around will be higher in magnitude than the Israel-led bombing of Iran in June last year.