US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is sailing in the Arabian Sea. So is a Chinese vessel
Research ship Dayang Yihao may have been sailing near the American warship, independent military observer says in a social media post
China’s Dayang Yihao (or “Ocean No 1”) has been surveying the Arabian Sea west of India since December 19, according to SeaLight, a maritime analysis group affiliated with Stanford University.
The ship is China’s first modern comprehensive ocean-going scientific research vessel, and is equipped with advanced ocean floor imaging systems for real-time seabed mapping. It monitors abnormal marine sounds and features satellite communication and wireless internet access.
The vessel could have been operating near the USS Abraham Lincoln, independent military observer MenchOsint – who specialises in open-source intelligence – said in a social media post.
MenchOsint’s analysis of the Dayang Yihao’s historical track data suggests it was operating in waters near the US carrier – but the precise distance between the two is not known.
The nuclear-powered carrier is capable of deploying cruise missiles that can strike targets deep within Iran.
Trump has threatened both to intervene against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and to launch military strikes following its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.
Vessels in the US strike group deployed to the Middle East are also equipped with advanced air and missile defence shields, capable of countering ballistic and cruise missiles as well as other aerial threats.
As of Saturday, the Chinese research vessel was still operating in the Arabian Sea, off the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula, India and Pakistan, according to data from tracker site Maritime Traffic.
It had also sailed south for about 171 nautical miles (nearly 320km), away from the Iranian coast, since its position on January 27, the data showed.
According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the ship has conducted 27 oceanographic scientific expeditions during its four decades in service.
China’s oceanic affairs administration said on Monday that the vessel was set to undergo major upgrades, including the installation of remotely operated underwater vehicles, which would provide reliable support for future deep-sea resource surveys and development.
China has in recent years unveiled new scientific research vessels and expanded their deployment across a wide range of waters in line with its growing overseas interests.
The Dayang Yihao left Singapore on December 11, after calling at the eastern Chinese port of Xiamen earlier that month, Magic Port tracker data shows. It set sail in November from Qingdao, north of Xiamen.
The presence of a Chinese ship in the Arabian Sea amid rising tensions in the Middle East has further fuelled speculation of an imminent US strike on Iran.
Last week, Tehran announced plans for a two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial waterway handling one-fifth of the world’s oil – as the US Navy ships arrived in the region. Washington issued a warning in response.
Trump has warned that “bad things” would probably happen if the talks fail.
In a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on January 15, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing was willing to play a “constructive role” in resolving differences through dialogue.
China opposed “the use or threat of force in international relations” and “a return of the world to the law of the jungle”, the top diplomat said.
China and Iran established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016. According to a joint statement released by China’s foreign ministry that year, the two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges between their armed forces and defence departments, and to boost communication and coordination at all levels.
