“The Americans think they can impress Iran by announcing plans for a minesweeping drill in the Persian Gulf, but this is not true,” Sayyari said Monday. Actually, the exercise has nothing to do with impressing Iran. It will be held September 16-27 and involves minesweepers from 20 countries. The purpose, as with all such multinational exercises, is to make sure all participants are using the same jargon and know what each country will be doing so that nothing falls between the stools. It is standard military procedure, which Sayyari ought to understand.