Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, head of the IRGC navy, called claims by US officials are incorrect and said: given that the distance of US ships was less than 98 feet (30 m) from Iranian vessels and forces, if they just wanted to monitor the situation, they could do it from long a distance or use aircraft and drones.[15] Also, he claimed that based on their earlier assessments the US was "prepared for a large operation." based on their earlier assessments.[2]